n3oum نعوم
Algerian Darja · verb
“n3oum” (نعوم) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning I swim, to swim.
Meanings
- I swim, to swim
- to bathe in the sea
Usage
N3oum is the first person singular of the imperfective of the verb 3am / y3oum, "to swim". It translates as "I swim" or "I'm going to swim". It is used both for swimming and for simply bathing at the beach: "nroho n3oumou" means "let's go for a swim". The corresponding noun is 3oum, "swimming", and 3ouma refers to a session or a "dip". For an English speaker, note: darja says "swim" where English would often say "bathe" or "go for a dip". "To know how to swim" is said "ya3ref y3oum".
Example
ما نعرفش نعوم مليح، نبقى قريب للشط
ma na3refch n3oum mli7, nab9a 9rib lech-chatt
“I can't swim very well, I stay close to the shore.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “n3oum” but also “na3oum” and “n3om”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent.