na9es ناقص

Algerian Darja · adjective

“na9es” (ناقص) is an adjective in Algerian Darja meaning insufficient, in smaller quantity.

Meanings

1. insufficient, in smaller quantity
2. missing, absent
3. minus (in calculation)

Usage

Na9es, feminine na9sa, describes what is not enough: l'mel7 na9es, "it lacks salt". It also expresses that a thing or a person is missing: na9es wa7ed, "one is missing". Na9es chwiya means "a little is missing". In calculation, it corresponds to "minus": khamsa na9es zouj. It should not be translated as "useless" or "rubbish": it marks a lack or insufficiency, not poor quality. The corresponding verb is n9es, "to decrease". The expression ma na9es walou means "nothing is missing".

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “na9es” but also “nakes”, “nages”, “naqes” and “na9s”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.

Type “na9es” on the Arabic keyboard

In Moroccan Darija

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “missing, incomplete”; “low, insufficient”: na9s in Moroccan.

In Tunisian Derja

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “lacking, insufficient”; “minus (arithmetic)”: na9es in Tunisian.