khassa خاصة
Algerian Darja · adverb
“khassa” (خاصة) is an adverb in Algerian Darja meaning especially, particularly.
Meanings
- especially, particularly
- special, private (feminine adjective)
Usage
An adverb used to highlight one element among others: "3jebni kamel, khassa la fin" (I liked all of it, especially the end). It is placed right before the word or group it emphasizes, like "especially" in English. It is also heard in "khassa w ana…" (especially since I…). It can also function as the feminine adjective of "khass" (special, reserved): "haja khassa" (a special thing), "madrasa khassa" (private school). Do not confuse it with "khass" in the sense of "must" or "need", which is very common in darja.
Example
نحب الحلويات خاصة البقلاوة
nhab lhalwiyat khassa lbaqlawa
“I like pastries, especially baklava.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “khassa” but also “khasa” and “khassatan”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “khassa” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “especially, in particular”; “special (feminine of khass)”: khassatan in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “especially, in particular”; “private, special”: 5assatan in Tunisian.