9ahwat قهوات
Moroccan Darija · noun
“9ahwat” (قهوات) is a noun in Moroccan Darija meaning coffees (cups of coffee).
Meanings
- coffees (cups of coffee)
- cafés (establishments)
Usage
9ahwat is a plural of 9ahwa, "coffee". It is used mostly for counting drinks, after a number: juj 9ahwat, "two coffees". For establishments, the other plural, 9hawi, is heard more often: the neighborhood cafés, where people meet to chat or watch a match. Depending on the speaker, however, the two forms may overlap. At the counter, the preparation is often specified: 9ahwa ke7la for a black coffee, 9ahwa n9es for a coffee with a little milk (a noisette).
Example
جيب لينا جوج قهوات عافاك
jib lina juj 9ahwat 3afak
“Bring us two coffees, please.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “9ahwat” but also “9hwat”, “qahwat” and “9ehwat”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.