markaz مركز
Algerian Darja · noun
“markaz” (مركز) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning centre (facility, institution).
Meanings
- centre (facility, institution)
- focused, concentrating (mrakkez)
Usage
As a noun, markaz means "centre" in the sense of an establishment. It appears mainly in official names and in formal register: markaz takwin (training centre), markaz sehhi (health centre). In speech, the French word "centre" is often used instead. Written the same way in Arabic, the form mrakkez is very common in darja and means "focused, attentive": rani mrakkez (I'm focused), ma kountch mrakkez (I wasn't paying attention). Pitfall: only context shows whether it is the noun or the participle.
Example
راهو يقرا في مركز التكوين.
rahou yaqra f'markaz ettakwin.
“He is studying at the vocational training centre.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “markaz” but also “merkez”, “mrakez”, “mrakkez” and “markez”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “markaz” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “centre (place, establishment)”; “station, post (police, health)”: markaz in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “centre, institution”; “police station”: markez in Tunisian.