How to say “but” in Darija
In Moroccan, you say “walakin”; in Algerian, “bessah” and “mi”; in Tunisian, “ama”.
In Moroccan Darija
walakin و لكن
A conjunction meaning “but”; “however, yet”.
بغيت نجي ولكن ماعنديش الوقت: “I wanted to come, but I don't have time.”
In Algerian Darja
bessah بصح
A conjunction meaning “but, however”; “really? is that true?”; “really, for real”.
حبيت نجي بصح ما لقيتش الوقت: “I wanted to come, but I didn't find the time.”
mi مي
A conjunction meaning “but (contrast)”; “but still, however (sentence-initial)”.
حبيت نجي، مي ما لقيتش الطاكسي: “I wanted to come, but I couldn't find a taxi.”
In Tunisian Derja
ama اما
A conjunction meaning “but”; “however, nevertheless”.
حتّى ب فلوس نمشي اما ما لقيتش كيفاه: “I'd go even if I had to pay, but I haven't found how.”