saha ramdanek صحة رمضانك
Algerian Darja · expression
“saha ramdanek” (صحة رمضانك) is an expression in Algerian Darja meaning happy Ramadan (greeting).
Meanings
- happy Ramadan (greeting)
Usage
A very common greeting in Algeria during the month of Ramadan. People say it when passing someone, when entering someone's home, or on the phone. For the plural, or out of politeness, one says sahha ramdhankoum. The usual reply is "w nta tani" or "allah ysalmek", or even the same phrase returned. On the same model, people say sahha ftourek when it is time to break the fast, to wish someone a good meal. The word sahha (health) is also used in other congratulations: sahha 3idek for Eid. The register is informal but always polite.
Example
صحة رمضانك يا خويا، ربي يتقبل
sahha ramdhanek ya khouya, rabbi yetqabbel
“Happy Ramadan, brother, may God accept it.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “saha ramdanek” but also “sahha ramdhanek”, “sa7a ramdanek” and “sahha ramdanek”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 7 is ha (ح), a breathy h from the throat.