essid السيد

Algerian Darja · noun

“essid” (السيد) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning the guy, the man (informal).

Meanings

1. the guy, the man (informal)
2. mister (courtesy title)

Usage

Essid literally means "the gentleman". In darja, it is often used informally to refer to a person being talked about: "had essid", that guy; "essid rah ydir...", the guy is doing... The tone can be neutral, admiring or ironic depending on intonation. Before a name, as a title, it is more formal and administrative: "essid el wali", the wali (governor). Without the article, sid also appears in "sidi", my lord, or before the name of a saint. Do not confuse it with the polite "monsieur" used to address someone directly.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

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

Type “essid” on the Arabic keyboard

In Moroccan Darija

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “gentleman, the man (polite)”; “venerated saint; his shrine”: ssiyed in Moroccan.