kaftan قفطان

Algerian Darja · noun

“kaftan” (قفطان) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning kaftan, women's ceremonial dress.

Meanings

1. kaftan, women's ceremonial dress

Usage

The qaftan, or kaftan, is a long ceremonial dress, often made of velvet or rich fabric, embroidered with gold thread, worn by women at weddings, engagements and family celebrations. In Algeria, it is one of the traditional outfits the bride presents during the evening, alongside other regional costumes such as the karakou. The word is common and neutral, and is pronounced with a q or a k depending on the region. The plural is qfatn. The French "caftan" is understood and often used as is.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “kaftan” but also “qaftan”, “9aftan” and “keftan”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.

Type “kaftan” on the Arabic keyboard

In Moroccan Darija

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “caftan, traditional Moroccan dress”: 9ftan in Moroccan.