mchoumer مشومر
Algerian Darja · adjective
“mchoumer” (مشومر) is an adjective in Algerian Darja meaning broke, penniless.
Meanings
- broke, penniless
- poor, destitute
Usage
A colloquial, very widespread word, especially among young people, for having no money on you or being short at the end of the month. It is equivalent to "broke" or "out of cash". It is often used with humor or self-mockery: "rani mchoumer", "I'm broke". The feminine is "mchoumra" and the plural is "mchoumrin". The synonym "zawali" refers rather to lasting poverty, whereas "mchoumer" often suggests a temporary shortage. The word belongs to the spoken, colloquial register and is not suitable in a formal context.
Example
ما نقدرش نخرج معاكم، راني مشومر هاد الشهر
ma n9derch nokhroj m3akom, rani mchoumer had ch'har
“I can't go out with you, I'm broke this month.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “mchoumer” but also “mchomer”, “mchoumar”, “mshoumer” and “mchoumr”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “mchoumer” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “unemployed, out of work”; “idle, with nothing to do”: mchomer in Moroccan.