How to say “thing” in Darija
In Moroccan, you say “7aja”; in Algerian, “7aja” and “3afsa”; in Tunisian, “7aja”, “chay”, “haja” and “3afsa”.
In Moroccan Darija
7aja حاجة
A noun meaning “thing, stuff”; “need, errand to run”; “nothing (ta 7aja)”.
دير شي حاجة: “Do something.”
In Algerian Darja
7aja حاجة
A noun meaning “thing, something”; “matter, need, something to do”.
شريت حاجة مليحة ليماك: “I bought something nice for your mother.”
3afsa عفسة
A noun meaning “thing, stuff, any object”; “matter, business, situation”.
عطيني ديك العفسة اللي فوق الطابلة.: “Give me that thing that's on the table.”
In Tunisian Derja
7aja حاجة
A noun meaning “thing, stuff”; “something”; “need, errand to run”.
العباد الكلّ يحسدوك على اقلّ حاجة: “Everyone envies you for the slightest thing.”
chay شي
A noun meaning “thing, something”; “nothing (with negation)”; “everything (in kol chay)”.
اااا فهمت كلّ شي: “Aaah, I understood everything.”
haja هاجة
A noun meaning “thing, something”; “matter, need”.
حبيت نقلك هاجة مهمة.: “I wanted to tell you something important.”
3afsa عفسة
A noun meaning “thing, stuff (vague sense)”; “matter, situation, business”; “funny situation, good one”.
هات العفسة هاذيكا من فوق الطاولة.: “Pass me that thing on the table.”