gaouri ڭاوري
Algerian Darja · noun
“gaouri” (ڭاوري) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning European, Westerner.
Meanings
- European, Westerner
- non-Muslim foreigner
- European-style
Usage
Gaouri refers to a European or a Westerner, often associated with fair skin. By extension, it refers to a non-Muslim foreigner. The plural is gwer and the feminine is gaouria. It is used as a noun (jaw gwer, "Europeans came") or as an adjective (lebsa gaouria, "a European-style outfit"). The register is informal. Depending on tone, the word can be neutral, mocking or slightly pejorative. In the diaspora, it often refers to French people. People also say wella gaouri of someone who has adopted Western manners.
Example
جا عندنا واحد ڭاوري للحومة
ja 3andna wa7ed gaouri lel 7ouma
“A European came to our neighbourhood.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “gaouri” but also “gawri”, “gaori” and “gaury”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Its Arabic spelling is not fixed either: you will find ڭاوري and گاوري, all the same word.
Type “gaouri” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “foreigner, European, Westerner”; “non-Muslim”: gawri in Moroccan.