diouana ديوانة
Algerian Darja · noun
“diouana” (ديوانة) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning customs.
Meanings
- customs
- customs officers
Usage
Diwana refers to customs, both as an administration and as a checkpoint at borders, ports and airports. The word is almost always used with the article: ed-diwana. It can refer collectively to the officers. A customs officer is called diwani. The word comes up a lot in conversations about travel and returning home, and about clearing cars and goods through customs. Examples: "fattouna f diwana" (we went through customs), "diwana 7ebsoulou la valise" (customs held his suitcase). The French word "douane" is also understood.
Example
قعدنا ساعتين في الديوانة في المطار.
9a3adna sa3tin f diwana f l'aéroport.
“We spent two hours at customs at the airport.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, it is written “diouana”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.