roumi رومي

Algerian Darja · noun

“roumi” (رومي) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning Frenchman, European.

Meanings

1. Frenchman, European
2. non-Muslim foreigner, Westerner
3. foreign, imported (adjective)

Usage

Roumi (feminine roumiya, plural rwama) refers to a French person and, more broadly, a European or a Westerner. The word can be neutral, colloquial or slightly mocking depending on context. It is heard, for example, about someone who "acts French" in the way they speak or dress. Used as an adjective, it also describes things of foreign origin, or reputed to be, as opposed to local products called 3arbi. Thus, djaja roumiya, "turkey", contrasts with djaja 3arbiya, "local hen". The word gaouri has a similar meaning.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “roumi” but also “romi”, “roumiya” and “rumi”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Type “roumi” on the Arabic keyboard