nichane نيشان
Algerian Darja · adverb
“nichane” (نيشان) is an adverb in Algerian Darja meaning right on target, exactly.
Meanings
- right on target, exactly
- straight ahead, directly
- perfect, excellent (informal)
Usage
Nichane is a very common informal word. It means that something hits its target exactly: a shot, a remark, a joke or an answer. For example, "drabt nichane" means "you hit the mark". It can also indicate a direction: "roh nichane", "go straight ahead". Among young people, it also works as a compliment: "ghir nichane" means "it's perfect, flawless". It is invariable and goes after the verb, or is used on its own as an exclamation. Avoid it in formal speech.
Example
هدرتك جات نيشان
hadartek jat nichane
“What you said was spot on.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “nichane” but also “nichan”, “nishan”, “nichen” and “nichanne”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.