How to say “sign” in Darija
In Moroccan, you say “3alama”; in Algerian, “3lama”; in Tunisian, “3lama” and “ichara”.
In Moroccan Darija
3alama علامة
A noun meaning “sign, indication”; “mark, marker”; “brand, trademark”.
إلا كنتي كاضحّكهوم, هادي علامة مزيانا.: “If you make them laugh, that's a good sign.”
In Algerian Darja
3lama علامة
A noun meaning “sign, mark”; “grade (school)”; “great, awesome (slang)”.
دير علامة على الصفحة باش ما تنساش.: “Make a mark on the page so you don't forget.”
In Tunisian Derja
3lama علامة
A noun meaning “sign, symbol”; “mark”; “indication, sign of what's coming”.
عملي علامة بيدو باش نسكت: “He signalled to me with his hand to keep quiet.”
ichara اشارة
A noun meaning “sign, gesture”; “road sign, traffic light”; “signal, hint”.
عملّي إشارة بيدو باش نستنّاه.: “He signaled to me with his hand to wait for him.”