l3dam العظام
Algerian Darja · noun
“l3dam” (العظام) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning eggs (eastern Algeria).
Meanings
- eggs (eastern Algeria)
- bones, skeletal remains
Usage
In eastern Algeria, notably in Constantine, Annaba and Sétif, l'3dam means eggs. The singular is 3adma, "an egg". Elsewhere in Algeria, people rather say "bid" or "dh'ab", and l'3dam keeps the meaning "bones". This is a classic pitfall between regions: someone from Algiers may understand "bones" where someone from Constantine is talking about eggs. The word is also used figuratively for "the great", "the nobles", under the influence of Standard Arabic. It is an everyday word, neutral in register.
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “l3dam” but also “3dam”, “la3dam”, “l3dem” and “3dem”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent.