fach فاش

Algerian Darja · pronoun

“fach” (فاش) is a pronoun in Algerian Darja meaning in what, about what, what ... in.

Meanings

1. in what, about what, what ... in
2. with what

Usage

In Algeria, fach is the contraction of f + wach ("in what, about what"). It is a very common question word in speech: fach rak tkhammem? (what are you thinking about?), fach tekhdem? (what do you work in?). It also introduces indirect questions: ma fhemtch fach rah yahder (I didn't understand what he is talking about). Pitfall: in Morocco, fach mainly means "when". An Algerian uses ki or wakt to express time. For the same idea, you also hear fwach, depending on the region.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

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

Type “fach” on the Arabic keyboard

In Tunisian Derja

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “in what, about what”; “what (are you doing)”: fech in Tunisian.