karama كرامة
Moroccan Darija · noun
“karama” (كرامة) is a noun in Moroccan Darija meaning dignity, honour.
Meanings
- dignity, honour
- miracle attributed to a saint
Usage
Karama means dignity, self-respect, self-esteem. The word comes from Classical Arabic, but it is well established in the spoken language, notably in discussions about work, relationships or social demands: 3ndo lkarama (he has dignity), mss f karamto (he hurt his dignity). In a religious and popular register, it also refers to a miracle attributed to a saint (wali). To speak of honour in the usual moral sense, you can also say nif or 7chouma, depending on the context.
Example
الخدمة مزيانة ولكن الكرامة قبل كلشي
lkhedma mzyana walakin lkarama 9bel kolchi
“The work is good, but dignity comes before everything.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “karama” but also “karaama” and “krama”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “karama” on the Arabic keyboard
In Algerian Darja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Algerian Darja, where it means “dignity, honour”; “generosity, hospitality”: karama in Algerian.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “dignity, personal honour”; “self-respect, pride”: karama in Tunisian.