choufa شوفة

Algerian Darja · noun

“choufa” (شوفة) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning showing off, attention-seeking.

Meanings

1. showing off, attention-seeking
2. look, glance
3. sight, eyesight

Usage

Choufa comes from the verb chaf, "to see". In its basic sense it is a look or eyesight, as in "naqsa fi choufa", "to have poor eyesight". In informal use, the word mostly means showing off, the attitude of someone who acts to attract attention. People say "ydir choufa" for "he's showing off, he's making a spectacle of himself". People also say "ghir choufa" for "it's just for show". The tone is critical. It is often used to reproach someone for ostentatious or thoughtless behaviour, on social media as in the street.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “choufa” but also “chouffa”, “chofa” and “shoufa”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Type “choufa” on the Arabic keyboard

In Moroccan Darija

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “look, way of looking”; “view, panorama”: choufa in Moroccan.