jiha جهة
Algerian Darja · noun
“jiha” (جهة) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning side, direction.
Meanings
- side, direction
- region, area
Usage
Jiha first means a side or a direction: jiha limniya (the right side), men had jiha (this way). It is also used to talk about a region, often to place an origin: jiha ta3 echerq, the eastern region. The phrase men jiha… men jiha okhra corresponds to "on one hand… on the other". In darja, the construct state often takes the form jihet: jihet lebhar (near the sea). The word is understood everywhere; in speech, one also hears jenb for the side of the body.
Example
حط الكرسي فالجهة الأخرى تاع البيت.
hott lkoursi fel jiha lokhra ta3 lbit.
“Put the chair on the other side of the room.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “jiha” but also “jihet”, “djiha” and “jihha”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “jiha” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “side, direction”; “region (administrative)”: jiha in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “region, geographic area”; “side, direction”: jiha in Tunisian.