How to say “since” in Darija
In Algerian, you say “mli” and “madam”; in Tunisian, “malli” and “mli”.
In Algerian Darja
mli ملي
A conjunction meaning “since, ever since”; “when, whenever”.
madam مادام
A conjunction meaning “since, seeing that”; “as long as”; “(loanword) madam; wife”.
مادام راك فارغ، أرواح عاوني.: “Since you have nothing to do, come and help me.”
In Tunisian Derja
malli ماللي
A conjunction meaning “since, ever since”; “of what, from among what”.
ماللي خرجت الصباح ما كليت شي: “Since I went out this morning, I haven't eaten anything.”
mli ملي
A conjunction meaning “since (time)”; “than (after a comparative)”.
ملّي جيت وهو يخدم.: “Ever since I arrived, he has been working.”