9wwa قوّا
Moroccan Darija · verb
“9wwa” (قوّا) is a verb in Moroccan Darija meaning to strengthen, fortify.
Meanings
- to strengthen, fortify
- to give strength, invigorate
Usage
9ewwa means "to make strong" or "to strengthen", present y9ewwi. It is used for a food or remedy that gives strength, as well as for reinforcing something. The phrase Allah y9ewwik, "may God give you strength", is very common. It is said to someone who is working, to encourage or greet them. The form t9ewwa means "to get stronger" or "to become strong". The word is built on 9wwa, "strength".
Example
هاد الماكلة كتقوّي الجسد
had lmakla kat9ewwi ljesd
“This food strengthens the body.”
Conjugation
Forms as recorded in DODa and reproduced in its spelling, which often leaves out short vowels.
| Imperfective (present) | Perfective (past) | Imperative | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ana (I) | kan9wwi | 9wwit | |
| nta (you, m.) | kat9wwi | 9wwiti | 9wwi |
| nti (you, f.) | kat9wwi | 9wwiti | 9wwi |
| howa (he) | kay9wwi | 9wwa | |
| hiya (she) | kat9wwi | 9wwaat | |
| 7na (we) | kan9wwiw | 9wwina | |
| ntouma (you, pl.) | kat9wwiw | 9wwito | 9wwiw |
| homa (they) | kay9wwiw | 9wwao |
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “9wwa” but also “9ewwa”, “9owwa”, “qewwa” and “9awwa”. 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.