qarn قرن
Algerian Darja · noun
“qarn” (قرن) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning century.
Meanings
- century
- horn (of an animal)
- (hyperbole) ages, a very long time
Usage
Qarn means the century, but also the horn of an animal, with the plural qrun. In conversation, it often serves as an exaggeration meaning "ages": hadi qarn ma chuftek, "it's been ages since I saw you". It is also used to reproach slowness: rak f qarn, "you've been dragging on for ages". Depending on the region, the q is pronounced q or g. The literal time sense belongs to a somewhat more formal register. The hyperbolic use, on the other hand, is very colloquial and frequent.
Example
الجامع هذا عندو قرن
el jame3 hada 3andou qarn
“This mosque is a century old.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “qarn” but also “9arn”, “karn” and “garn”. 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 “qarn” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “century”; “horn”: 9arn in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “horn (of an animal)”; “century”: garn in Tunisian.