dezza الدزة
Algerian Darja · noun
“dezza” (الدزة) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning push, shove to get moving.
Meanings
- push, shove to get moving
- a boost, encouragement
Usage
The dezza is a push, a helping hand or shoulder to get someone or something moving. It is the verbal noun of the very common verb dezz, "to push". People say "a3tih dezza", "give him a push", for example for a broken-down car or for someone who is hesitating. Figuratively, the word means a boost. The register is informal, but the word is not vulgar. Pitfall: the verb dezz also means "to send" (dezz-li, "send me"), whereas the noun dezza mainly keeps the idea of a push. The meaning "a lot of money" given by the reference definition is not confirmed.
Example
عطيني دزة، الطوموبيل ما حبتش تمشي.
a3tini dezza, tomobil ma habetch temchi.
“Give me a push, the car won't start.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “dezza” but also “deza”, “dazza” and “dza”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.