wach chriki واش شريكي
Algerian Darja · expression
“wach chriki” (واش شريكي) is an expression in Algerian Darja meaning hey buddy, how's it going?.
Meanings
- hey buddy, how's it going?
Usage
Wach chriki is a very informal greeting between friends, especially between young men. Chriki literally means "my partner", but is commonly used for "my buddy". The phrase works as both "hi" and "how's it going?". The reply is "labas" or a simple "wach". It is best avoided with elders or in formal settings. The feminine is chrikti, which is less frequently used. The expression has become emblematic of Algerian speech, even in the diaspora.
Example
واش شريكي، لاباس؟
wach chriki, labas?
“Hey buddy, all good?”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “wach chriki” but also “wech chriki”, “wesh chriki” and “wach cheriki”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.