kfach كفاش
Moroccan Darija · adverb
“kfach” (كفاش) is an adverb in Moroccan Darija meaning how.
Meanings
- how
- in what way
Usage
Kfach is a shortened spelling and pronunciation of kifach, the common interrogative adverb for "how". It is used to ask about manner (kfach dirti?) or condition (kfach dayr?). It also appears in indirect questions: ma 3reftch kfach, "I don't know how". It sometimes expresses surprise or reproach: kfach wsalna l hadchi?, "how did we end up here?". The register is neutral and everyday. Pitfall: it is not used to ask a price. For that, say bchhal.
Example
كفاش درتي هادشي؟
kfach derti hadchi?
“How did you do that?”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “kfach” but also “kifach”, “kifash”, “kfash” and “kifech”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “kfach” on the Arabic keyboard
In Algerian Darja
The same word also exists in Algerian Darja, written كيفاش, where it means “how (interrogative)”; “how come? why on earth?”: kifach in Algerian.
In Tunisian Derja
The same word also exists in Tunisian Derja, written كيفاش, where it means “how, in what way”; “how come? (astonishment)”: kifech in Tunisian.