nawwar نور
Algerian Darja · verb
“nawwar” (نور) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning to light up, illuminate.
Meanings
- to light up, illuminate
- to blossom (trees)
- to grace with one's presence
Usage
Nawwar means "to light up, illuminate", both literally and figuratively. It is heard in wishes such as "Allah ynawwar 3lik" ("may God enlighten you") and in the greeting "nawwart !" ("your presence lights up the place"), close to "what a pleasure to see you". For trees, it means "to blossom", related to nouwar, "blossoms". Do not confuse it with nour, "light", found in deglet nour, the famous date variety. That variety name has no direct connection with the verb use.
Example
نوّر الضو، ما نشوف والو.
Nawwar edhaw, ma nchouf walou.
“Turn on the light, I can't see anything.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “nawwar” but also “nawar”, “nouwar”, “nawer” and “nawwer”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “nawwar” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “to light up, illuminate”; “to honor with one's presence (greeting)”: nwwer in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “light, brightness”; “radiance, glow of the face”: nour in Tunisian.