ma9ron مقرون
Algerian Darja · noun
“ma9ron” (مقرون) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning pasta, macaroni.
Meanings
- pasta, macaroni
- pasta dish in sauce
Usage
Ma9ron refers to pasta in general, especially short pasta cooked in tomato sauce. It is a very common family dish, often made with chickpeas, beans (loubia) or minced meat. It is used as a collective noun: "tayyeb ma9ron" (to make pasta), "ma9ron bessauce". The feminine form ma9rouna is also heard, and is very widespread. The definition circulating online, which says the word means a crazy person in the east of the country, is not confirmed by the usage recorded. In the attested sentences, the word always refers to the dish.
Example
اليوم ماما طيبت مقرون بالحمص
lyoum mama tayybet ma9ron bel 7ommos
“Today Mum made pasta with chickpeas.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “ma9ron” but also “ma9roun”, “mqarun”, “makroun” and “m9aroun”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.