imma أما

Moroccan Darija · conjunction

“imma” (أما) is a conjunction in Moroccan Darija meaning either… or (alternative).

Meanings

1. either… or (alternative)
2. as for

Usage

Imma is used mainly in pairs to set up an alternative: "imma nta imma ana" (either you or me). It is repeated before each term. The second imma is often replaced by wlla or awla (or), and the reinforced form "ya imma… wlla" is also heard. The word is common in speech as well as in informal writing. In the sense of "as for", it is pronounced more like amma: this use is more formal and is found mainly in measured speech or speech influenced by Standard Arabic. Latin spellings often confuse the two forms.

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “imma” but also “ima”, “ama” and “amma”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Type “imma” on the Arabic keyboard

In Tunisian Derja

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “but”; “however, nevertheless”: ama in Tunisian.