kawwen كون

Algerian Darja · verb

“kawwen” (كون) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning to form, to set up.

Meanings

1. to form, to set up
2. to train someone

Usage

Kawwen means "to form" or "to set up": "kawwnou équipe" (they formed a team). It is also used for the training of a person: "kawwen rouhou" (he trained himself). The word belongs to a rather formal or technical register, close to Standard Arabic. Be careful not to confuse it with kun or kan, written the same way without the shadda, which means "if" or "if only" in conditionals: "kun jit", if you had come. The meaning "universe" (kawn) belongs to Standard Arabic.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “kawwen” but also “kawen”, “kaouen” and “kawn”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Type “kawwen” on the Arabic keyboard

In Moroccan Darija

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “to train (someone), instruct”; “to form, set up (a group)”: kowwen in Moroccan.