How to say “need” in Darija
In Moroccan, you say “7taj”; in Algerian, “yest7a9”; in Tunisian, “da3i”.
In Moroccan Darija
7taj حتاج
A verb meaning “to need”; “to lack”.
إلا حتاج شي حاجة: “If he needs anything.”
In Algerian Darja
yest7a9 يستحق
A verb meaning “to need”; “to require, to take”; “to deserve (formal register)”.
يستحق الدراهم باش يشري طوموبيل: “He needs money to buy a car.”
In Tunisian Derja
da3i داعي
A noun meaning “reason, need (to do something)”; “motive, cause”.
ما فماش داعي باش تتقلق.: “No need to get upset.”