How to say “what is it” in Darija
In Algerian, you say “wachtahi”; in Tunisian, “chnahou”, “achnahowa” and “achnahiya”.
In Algerian Darja
wachtahi وشتاهي
An expression meaning “what is it? (feminine)”; “what is this thing?”.
وشتاهي هاد الحاجة لي شريتها؟: “What is this thing you bought?”
In Tunisian Derja
chnahou شنهو
A pronoun meaning “what is it? (masculine)”; “what”.
شنهو هذا اللي في يدّك؟: “What is that in your hand?”
achnahowa اشنهوة
A pronoun meaning “what is it? (masculine)”; “what then?”.
آشنهوة هذا اللي في يدّك؟: “What is that thing in your hand?”
achnahiya اشنهية
A pronoun meaning “what is it? (feminine)”; “what's the matter?”.
آشنهية الحكاية؟ علاش الناس الكل هوني؟: “What's the story? Why is everyone here?”