ma ما
Algerian Darja · particle
“ma” (ما) is a particle in Algerian Darja meaning not (negation).
Meanings
- not (negation)
- what, as much as
Usage
Mainly a negative particle. With a verb, it most often forms a two-part negation: ma... ch (ma fhemtch, "I didn't understand"). In oaths, it is used alone: wallah ma nروح… more precisely wallah ma nrouh ("I swear I won't go"). It also works as a relative in expressions like 9ed ma ("as much as") or ki ma ("like"). It is also found in compound words: ma3lich, makanch ("there isn't"). Do not confuse it with ma ("water"), pronounced with a long vowel.
Example
ما فهمتش واش قلت
ma fhemtch wach 9olt
“I didn't understand what you said.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “ma” but also “mé” and “maa”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “ma” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “not (negation)”; “that, -ever (after kif, bla…)”: ma in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “not (with -ch)”; “what, as much as (relative)”: ma in Tunisian.