fhem فهم
Algerian Darja · verb
“fhem” (فهم) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning to understand, grasp the meaning.
Meanings
- to understand, grasp the meaning
- to realize, to get it
Usage
Fhem is the common verb for "to understand" throughout Algeria, in speech as well as in online comments. Past: fhemt (I understood), fhem (he understood). Imperfect: nefhem, tefhem. The imperative fhem! is often used in an insistent or annoyed tone, meaning "get this straight!". The question fhemt? (did you understand?) often punctuates an explanation. The verb takes a direct object (fhemt el-qadiya) or belli ("that"): fhemt belli... It also appears in expressions like ma fhemt walou (I understood nothing).
Example
عاودلي خطرة أخرى، ما فهمتش واش قلت.
3awedli khatra okhra, ma fhemtch wach goult.
“Say it again, I didn't understand what you said.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “fhem” but also “fham”, “fhemt”, “fhm” and “fhamt”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “fhem” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “understand, grasp the meaning”; “realize, perceive”: fhem in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “to understand, grasp”; “to realize”: fhem in Tunisian.