dagdag دقدق
Algerian Darja · verb
“dagdag” (دقدق) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning to knock repeatedly (door).
Meanings
- to knock repeatedly (door)
- to smash to pieces, to crush
Usage
Dagdag, or daqdaq depending on pronunciation, means to knock with repeated small taps, especially on a door: "dagdag fel bab". The reduplication of the root expresses repetition of the action. The verb also means to break something into pieces, to crush or to pound: nuts, ice, an object. In the present tense, you say ydagdag; the verbal noun is dagdga. The pronunciation with g is the most widespread in speech, with q being more urban. Close to tabtab, which refers rather to light pats.
Example
شكون راه يدقدق فالباب؟
chkoun rah ydagdag fel bab?
“Who is knocking at the door?”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “dagdag” but also “daqdaq”, “degdeg”, “dakdak” and “dagdeg”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.