zoudj زودج
Algerian Darja · numeral
“zoudj” (زودج) is a numeral in Algerian Darja meaning two.
Meanings
- two
- a pair, a couple
Usage
Zouj is the common word for "two" throughout Algeria. The pronunciation zoudj, with a d before the j, is heard mostly in Algiers and in some eastern cities. It is placed directly before the noun: zouj khawa (two brothers), zouj douro. With units of time, the dual form is preferred: youmine (two days), 3amine (two years). The word is also used to say "a pair" or "a couple": zouj sbabet (a pair of shoes). For an English speaker, the pitfall is using "tnine" before a noun: in darja, tnine is used mainly for counting or telling the time.
Example
عندي زوج خاوة وأخت وحدة.
3andi zouj khawa w okht wahda.
“I have two brothers and one sister.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, it is written “zoudj”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.