zahi زاهي
Algerian Darja · adjective
“zahi” (زاهي) is an adjective in Algerian Darja meaning happy, in a good mood.
Meanings
- happy, in a good mood
- having fun, carefree
Usage
Zahi describes someone cheerful, in a good mood, or having a good time. The feminine is zahya and the plural zahyin. It is often used with ana or rani: "rani zahi" (I'm happy, I'm having a blast). The word can also carry a nuance of carefreeness: to be zahi is to live without worry, sometimes to the point of losing track of time. It belongs to the everyday, informal register. It is stronger and livelier than plain "happy": it evokes cheerfulness, atmosphere and shared enjoyment. The word belongs to the same family as the verb zha (to have fun, rejoice) and the noun zhou (fun).
Example
راني زاهي بزاف اليوم، جاو صحابي
rani zahi bezzaf lyoum, jaw s7abi
“I'm very happy today, my friends came over.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “zahi” but also “zahy” and “zaahi”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “zahi” on the Arabic keyboard
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “cheerful, in a good mood”; “lively, festive (atmosphere)”: zehi in Tunisian.