wi3tih ويعطيه
Algerian Darja · expression
“wi3tih” (ويعطيه) is an expression in Algerian Darja meaning and (may God) give him.
Meanings
- and (may God) give him
Usage
W ya3tih is formed from the conjunction w ("and") and the verb a3ta, "to give", in the third person with the suffix -h ("him"). It is found mainly in blessings, after a first wish: "Allah yarhmou w ya3tih…", "rabbi ywaff9ou w ya3tih wach yetmenna", that is, "may God help him and grant him what he wishes". The implied subject is God. The elongated spelling "w ya3tiiih" comes from a line that became popular on social media, where it is said in a sing-song, mocking tone.
Example
ربي يشفيه ويعطيه الصحة
rabbi ychfih w ya3tih saha
“May God heal him and give him health.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “wi3tih” but also “wya3tih”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent.