How to say “shame” in Darija
In Moroccan, you say “3ar”; in Algerian, “hchouma”; in Tunisian, “3ib”, “3ar” and “chmeta”.
In Moroccan Darija
3ar عار
A noun meaning “shame, disgrace”; “plea for protection”.
هادشي عار، ما يليقش بيك: “It's a disgrace, it doesn't suit you.”
In Algerian Darja
hchouma حشومة
A noun meaning “shame, shameful thing”; “that's improper!”.
حشومة عليك، تهدر هكذا قدام يماك: “You should be ashamed, talking like that in front of your mother.”
In Tunisian Derja
3ib عيب
A noun meaning “shame, improper thing”; “flaw, defect”.
عيب عليك، ما تحكيش هكّا مع أمّك!: “You should be ashamed, don't talk to your mother like that!”
3ar عار
A noun meaning “shame, dishonor”; “it's disgraceful! (exclamation)”.
عار عليك، تحكي هكا مع أمّك؟: “Shame on you, is that how you talk to your mother?”
chmeta شماتة
A noun meaning “shame, humiliation, disgraceful thing”; “gloating at another's misfortune”.
يا شماتة، شنوة هالعملة اللي عملتها؟: “What a shame, what is this thing you did?”