merguez مرڨاز
Algerian Darja · noun
“merguez” (مرڨاز) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning small spicy sausage.
Meanings
- small spicy sausage
Usage
The "merguez" is a small, thin, red sausage made from beef or mutton, seasoned with harissa and spices. It is mostly eaten grilled: on the barbecue, in a sandwich (snack) with fries, or sometimes in a sauce. The word is used as a collective noun ("lmerguez") and looks very much like the French, which makes it easy to recognize. It is often heard with "chwa" (grilled meat) or in "sandwich merguez", a classic of street-food stalls and celebrations. Depending on the region, the pronunciation varies between "merguez" and "merguèz".
Example
جيبلي سندويتش مرڨاز بالفريت
jibli sandwich merguez bel frites
“Bring me a merguez sandwich with fries.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “merguez” but also “merguèz” and “mergaz”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.