9raya قراية
Moroccan Darija · noun
“9raya” (قراية) is a noun in Moroccan Darija meaning studies, schooling.
Meanings
- studies, schooling
- classes, school hours
- acquired knowledge, education
Usage
Qraya refers to studies, school or classes. "Imta l-qraya?" is understood as "What time are classes?". The word can also mean acquired knowledge. In "ma banet 3lih qraya", you say that someone has visibly learned nothing. Common constructions are "mcha l-qraya" (he went to class), "sali qraytu" (he finished his studies) and "qraya w safi" (nothing but studies). The word is informal, neutral and very frequent in conversation about school.
Example
مشا إقرا وشي قراية مابانت عليه
mcha i9era ochi 9rraya mabant 3lih
“He went to study, but it doesn't show that he learned anything.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “9raya” but also “qraya”, “9rraya”, “kraya” and “9raia”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Its Arabic spelling is not fixed either: you will find قراية and قرايا, all the same word.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.
Type “9raya” on the Arabic keyboard
In Algerian Darja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Algerian Darja, where it means “studies, schooling”; “reading”: graya in Algerian.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “studies, schooling”; “classes, school (period of teaching)”: 9raya in Tunisian.