How to say “can” in Darija
In Moroccan, you say “9der”; in Algerian, “9der”, “yendjem” and “kanita”; in Tunisian, “najjem”, “9der” and “tjem”.
In Moroccan Darija
9der قدر
A verb meaning “to be able to, can”; “to estimate, assess (9edder)”; “to appreciate, respect (9edder)”.
كنفكر كيفاش قدر: “I wonder how he was able to.”
In Algerian Darja
9der قدر
A verb meaning “can, be able to”; “manage, overpower”.
ما نقدرش نجي غدوة، عندي خدمة: “I can't come tomorrow, I have work.”
yendjem ينجم
A verb meaning “to be able to, can”; “may, to be possible”.
ما نجمش نجي غدوة، عندي الخدمة.: “I can't come tomorrow, I have work.”
kanita كانيطة
A noun meaning “metal drink can”.
جيبلي كانيطة باردة من الحانوت.: “Bring me a cold can from the grocery store.”
In Tunisian Derja
najjem نجم
A verb meaning “to be able to, can”; “to bear, to stand (negated)”; “star (written register)”.
شكون عندهم معلومة ينجّم يعاون بها: “Who has some information they can help with?”
9der قدر
A verb meaning “can, to be able to”; “worth, esteem (noun)”.
ما قدرتش نجي البارح: “I couldn't come yesterday.”
tjem تجم
A verb meaning “you can, she can”; “to be able to”.
تجم تجي غدوة؟: “Can you come tomorrow?”