madani مدني
Algerian Darja · adjective
“madani” (مدني) is an adjective in Algerian Darja meaning civil (as opposed to military).
Meanings
- civil (as opposed to military)
- civic
Usage
Madani is an adjective of Standard Arabic origin, understood and used in Algeria mainly in political and administrative registers. It contrasts with "military" or "religious". The feminine is madaniya, as in the well-known slogan dawla madaniya machi 3askariya. It also appears in civil status (lhala lmadaniya) and civil protection (lhimaya lmadaniya). In everyday conversation it is also found as a male first name (Madani), which can cause confusion in writing. The register is neutral or formal, and it is little used in casual exchanges.
Example
دولة مدنية ماشي عسكرية
dawla madaniya machi 3askariya
“A civil state, not a military one.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “madani” but also “madaniya” and “mdani”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “madani” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “civil, relating to citizens”; “civilian, non-military”: madani in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “civil, of civil society”; “civilian, non-military”: madani in Tunisian.