How to say “rotten” in Darija
In Moroccan, you say “khamej”, “fased” and “m3foun”; in Algerian, “ma3foun”; in Tunisian, “fased”, “5amej”, “mzammra”, “khayekh”, “m3affen” and “3afen”.
In Moroccan Darija
khamej خامج
An adjective meaning “rotten, spoiled”; “dirty, disgusting”.
مابقيتش باغي نعسر داك تفاح حيت خامج: “I don't want to squeeze that apple anymore, because it's rotten.”
fased فاسد
An adjective meaning “rotten, spoiled”; “corrupt, depraved”.
هاد الحوت فاسد، ما تاكلوش: “This fish is spoiled, don't eat it.”
m3foun معفون
An adjective meaning “rotten, spoiled”; “awful, very bad (slang)”.
هاد الخبز معفون، ما تاكلوش: “This bread is moldy, don't eat it.”
In Algerian Darja
ma3foun معفون
An adjective meaning “rotten, mouldy”; “filthy, grimy”; “lousy, poor quality”.
الخبز ولّى معفون، ارميه: “The bread has gone mouldy, throw it away.”
In Tunisian Derja
fased فاسد
An adjective meaning “rotten, spoiled”; “corrupt”.
الحليب هذا فاسد، ما تشربوش: “This milk is off, don't drink it.”
5amej خامج
An adjective meaning “rotten, spoiled (food)”; “filthy, dirty”; “despicable (person, pejorative)”.
الحوت هذا خامج، ما تاكلوش.: “This fish is spoiled, don't eat it.”
mzammra مزمرة
An adjective meaning “bad, rough (situation)”; “in a sorry state”.
الحالة مزمرة برشا هالأيامات: “The situation is really rotten these days.”
khayekh خايخ
An adjective meaning “rotten, spoiled (food)”; “overripe, mushy”.
الطماطم هاذي خايخة، ارميها.: “These tomatoes are rotten, throw them away.”
m3affen معفن
An adjective meaning “rotten, moldy”; “filthy, dirty”; “lousy, rotten (pejorative)”.
الطماطم هاذي معفنة، ارميها: “These tomatoes are rotten, throw them away.”
3afen عافن
An adjective meaning “rotten, spoiled”; “lousy, rubbish”; “filthy, grimy”.
الطماطم هاذي عافنة، ارميها: “These tomatoes are rotten, throw them away.”