momkin ممكن
Algerian Darja · adjective
“momkin” (ممكن) is an adjective in Algerian Darja meaning possible.
Meanings
- possible
- maybe, perhaps
- could you…? (polite request)
Usage
"Momkin" means "possible" and is often used as an adverb meaning "maybe": "momkin yji ghodwa" (he may come tomorrow). At the start of a sentence, it introduces a polite request, like "could you…?": "momkin t3awenni?". On its own, it works as an answer: "momkin" (it's possible). To say "impossible", people say "mach momkin" or "mouhal". The word comes from Standard Arabic, but it is fully integrated into darja and is used in all registers.
Example
ممكن تعاوني شوية؟
momkin t3awenni chwiya?
“Could you help me a bit?”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “momkin” but also “mumkin”, “momken”, “moumkin” and “mmkn”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “momkin” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “possible”; “maybe”: momkin in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “possible”; “could you…, may I…”: momken in Tunisian.