khedma خدمة
Algerian Darja · noun
“khedma” (خدمة) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning work, job.
Meanings
- work, job
- piece of work, job done
- service rendered
Usage
Khedma is the usual word for "work", both the job ("rani nqelleb 3la khedma", "I'm looking for work") and the workplace ("rani fel khedma"). It also refers to the result of an effort: "khedma tahbel" is a very common compliment, "great work". The corresponding verb is khdem ("to work") and a worker is a khddam. The word is not limited to the sense of "service": it is the basic everyday term for talking about work.
Example
لقيت خدمة جديدة في شركة قريبة لدارنا.
lqit khedma jdida f charika qriba ldarna.
“I found a new job at a company near our house.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “khedma” but also “khdma”, “5edma”, “khadma” and “khedmaa”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 5 is kha (خ), like the ch in Scottish loch.
Type “khedma” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “work, job”; “workplace”: khdma in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “work, job”; “workplace”: 5edma in Tunisian.