jeghma جغمة
Algerian Darja · noun
“jeghma” (جغمة) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning sip.
Meanings
- sip
- small amount of drink
Usage
Jeghma means a sip, the amount of liquid one swallows at once. The word is mostly used for water, coffee, milk or soup: jeghma qahwa, "a sip of coffee." It is often used to downplay, in the sense of "just a sip," as in a3tini jeghma, "give me a sip." The word is particularly widespread in western Algeria, but it is understood elsewhere. The register is informal and everyday. The plural jghamat is rare. People rather say zouj jeghmat for "two sips."
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “jeghma” but also “joghma”, “djeghma” and “jaghma”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “jeghma” on the Arabic keyboard
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “gulp, swallow of liquid”; “small drink”: jeghma in Tunisian.