How to say “laugh” in Darija
In Moroccan, you say “d7ek” and “d7ka”; in Algerian, “dhak” and “dehka”; in Tunisian, “dh7ak” and “dhahka”.
In Moroccan Darija
d7ek ضحك
A verb meaning “to laugh”; “to mock someone (d7ek 3la)”; “to trick someone (d7ek 3la)”.
ضحك بزاف ملي سمع النكتة: “He laughed a lot when he heard the joke.”
d7ka ضحكة
A noun meaning “laugh, burst of laughter”; “smile (broader sense)”.
عندها ضحكة زوينة بزاف: “She has a very lovely laugh.”
In Algerian Darja
dhak ضحك
A verb meaning “to laugh”; “to mock (with 3la)”; “to fool someone (dhak 3la)”.
كي شافني ضحك: “When he saw me, he laughed.”
dehka ضحكة
A noun meaning “laugh, burst of laughter”; “smile, way of laughing”.
In Tunisian Derja
dh7ak ضحك
A verb meaning “to laugh”; “laughter (noun)”.
نغزر ال روحي ونضحك: “I look at myself and I laugh.”
dhahka ضحكة
A noun meaning “laugh, burst of laughter”; “smile”.
ضحكتها تفرّح القلب: “Her smile gladdens the heart.”