makaytsenne3ch ماكايتصنّعش
Moroccan Darija · expression
“makaytsenne3ch” (ماكايتصنّعش) is an expression in Moroccan Darija meaning natural, unaffected.
Meanings
- natural, unaffected
- unpretentious
Usage
Makaytsenne3ch is the negative form of tsenne3 (to pretend, to put on airs, to play a role). It describes a natural, spontaneous person who stays true to themselves. The feminine is makattsenne3ch. The word is used mostly as a compliment: rajel zwin, makaytsenne3ch (a good man who doesn't put on an act). The opposites are mtsenne3 (affected, pretentious) or kaytsenne3 (he pretends). The register is common and informal. It is a conjugated verb form, which English also renders naturally with an adjective.
Example
خوك دريّف، ماكايتصنّعش مع الناس
khouk driyyef, makaytsenne3ch m3a nnas
“Your brother is nice, he's natural with people.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “makaytsenne3ch” but also “makaytsana3ch”, “makaytsnne3ch” and “makaytsen3ch”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent.