How to say “light” in Darija
In Moroccan, you say “ddo” and “khfif”; in Algerian, “khfif” and “eddou”; in Tunisian, “nour”, “khfif”, “cha3el”, “khfef”, “fete7” and “walla3”.
In Moroccan Darija
ddo الضو
A noun meaning “light”; “electricity, power”.
الضو مجهد فالصالة: “The light is too bright in the living room.”
khfif خفيف
An adjective meaning “light (weight, intensity)”; “quick, agile”; “pleasant, likeable (person)”.
هز معاك هادشي راه خفيف: “Take this with you, it's light.”
In Algerian Darja
khfif خفيف
An adjective meaning “light”; “funny, likeable (dem khfif)”; “quick, agile”.
هاد الشكارة خفيفة، نهزها وحدي.: “This bag is light, I'll carry it myself.”
eddou الضو
A noun meaning “light”; “electricity, power”; “lamp, lighting”.
طفي الضو قبل ما ترقد: “Turn off the light before you go to sleep.”
In Tunisian Derja
nour نور
A noun meaning “light, brightness”; “radiance, glow of the face”.
khfif خفيف
An adjective meaning “light (weight, meal, taste)”; “quick, nimble”; “pleasant, funny (person)”.
نحب فطور خفيف الصباح: “In the morning, I prefer a light breakfast.”
cha3el شعل
A verb meaning “to light (fire, candle, cigarette)”; “to switch on (light, device)”; “to stir up, inflame (figurative)”.
شعّل الضوء، ما نشوف شيّ: “Turn on the light, I can't see anything.”
khfef خفاف
An adjective meaning “light (plural)”; “quick, nimble”; “pleasant, easygoing”.
جيب حاجات خفاف للعشا: “Bring something light for dinner.”
fete7 فاتح
An adjective meaning “light (colour)”; “first day of the month”; “opening”.
نحب قميجة زرقاء فاتح.: “I'd like a light blue shirt.”
walla3 ولع
A verb meaning “to light (fire, cigarette, shisha)”; “to switch on (lamp, device)”; “to stir up trouble”.
ولّع الكانون راهو البرد: “Light the brazier, it's cold.”