na9es نقص

Algerian Darja · verb

“na9es” (نقص) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning to reduce, lower, turn down.

Meanings

1. to reduce, lower, turn down
2. to consume less of something

Usage

Naqqes is the usual verb for "to reduce" or "to lower", in the transitive sense: naqqes es-sout (turn the sound down), naqqes es-souma (lower the price). With min, it means "to cut down on": naqqes mel-melh (use less salt), naqqes mel-garro (smoke less). Its usual opposite is zid (add, increase). The related noun nqas means a lack or shortage. Watch the doubled consonant: naqqes (to reduce something) is distinct from nqas (to decrease by itself, to be lacking). The word is used in all registers, at the market, at home or at work.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “na9es” but also “naqqes”, “n9es”, “nakes” and “na99es”. 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 “to reduce, decrease”; “to shorten, trim a little”: n99es in Moroccan.

In Tunisian Derja

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “to reduce, cut down (transitive)”; “to lower (sound, price)”: na99es in Tunisian.