imken إمكن
Moroccan Darija · adverb
“imken” (إمكن) is an adverb in Moroccan Darija meaning maybe, perhaps.
Meanings
- maybe, perhaps
- it is possible that
- is it possible? (polite request)
Usage
Imken expresses possibility. It goes before a verb in the imperfect, with no conjunction: imken nji (I may come). It is fixed and does not agree with the subject. With liya, lik, etc., it is used to ask permission or to say what is possible for someone: imken liya nkhrej? (may I go out?). The phrase imken ila signals a strong probability. The word is common in speech as well as in online writing. You also come across ymken and mumkin, the latter being more formal. Remember that imken does not conjugate.
Example
إمكن نشوفك غدا
imkn nchofk ghdda
“I might see you tomorrow.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “imken” but also “imkn”, “ymken”, “imkan” and “emken”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.