dayma دايما
Moroccan Darija · adverb
“dayma” (دايما) is an adverb in Moroccan Darija meaning always, all the time.
Meanings
- always, all the time
- constantly, nonstop
Usage
Dayma is the common adverb for "always". It often comes before the verb or adjective: dayma m3ettel (always late), dayma kayji (he comes all the time). It is used in all registers, in speech and in writing on social media. In Latin script, you sometimes see a spelling with a final n, which follows the Standard Arabic form. To say "not always", use machi dayma. Not to be confused with dima, a close variant in some regions, or with bla ma tsali, which puts more stress on repetition.
Example
نتا دايما معطل
nta dayman m3atl
“You're always late.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “dayma” but also “dima”, “daima” and “dayman”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “dayma” on the Arabic keyboard
In Algerian Darja
The same word also exists in Algerian Darja, written ديما, where it means “always”; “often, constantly”: dima in Algerian.
In Tunisian Derja
The same word also exists in Tunisian Derja, written ديما, where it means “always, all the time”; “constantly, nonstop”: dima in Tunisian.