How to say “cry” in Darija
In Moroccan, you say “bka”; in Algerian, “3ayta”; in Tunisian, “tebki” and “bka”.
In Moroccan Darija
bka بكا
A verb meaning “to cry, to weep”; “to complain, whine”.
غطّا وجهو و بكا: “He covered his face and cried.”
In Algerian Darja
3ayta عيطة
A noun meaning “cry, scream”; “call (out loud)”; “folk song, lament”.
سمعت عيطة في الزنقة وخرجت نشوف.: “I heard a cry in the street and went out to see.”
In Tunisian Derja
tebki تبكي
A verb meaning “you cry / she cries”; “to move to tears”.
شبيك تبكي؟ آش صارلك؟: “Why are you crying? What happened to you?”
bka بكى
A verb meaning “to cry, to shed tears”; “to mourn someone, grieve a loss”.
ما بكيتش على فراقهم اما بكيت خاطر حبّيتهم: “I didn't cry over their parting, I cried because I loved them.”