yemken يمكن
Algerian Darja · adverb
“yemken” (يمكن) is an adverb in Algerian Darja meaning maybe, perhaps.
Meanings
- maybe, perhaps
- it is possible that
Usage
Yemken is very often used at the start of a sentence with the meaning "maybe". It is followed directly by a clause, with no conjunction: yemken yji ghodwa ("he may come tomorrow"). Used alone as an answer, it expresses doubt. It can be reinforced by saying yemken wah, yemken la ("maybe yes, maybe no"). In more formal sentences, the standard Arabic construction yumkin an is also found. The common synonym is balak, equally frequent. Note: in this sense yemken is not conjugated; it stays invariable.
Example
يمكن يجي غدوا
yemken yji ghedwa
“Maybe he'll come tomorrow.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “yemken” but also “yamken” and “yemkan”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “yemken” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “maybe, perhaps”; “it is possible that”: yemken in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “maybe, perhaps”; “it is possible (that)”: yemken in Tunisian.