rachwa رشوة
Moroccan Darija · noun
“rachwa” (رشوة) is a noun in Moroccan Darija meaning bribe, backhander.
Meanings
- bribe, backhander
- bribery, corruption
Usage
Rachwa refers to the sum paid to obtain a service or special treatment. By extension, the word also means corruption in general. The typical constructions are "3ta rachwa" ("to pay a bribe") and "khda rachwa" ("to take one"). In everyday speech, more discreet euphemisms are often used, particularly "lqehwa" ("the coffee"): "3tih chi qehwa" means "slip him something". The word rachwa itself is neutral and descriptive, and is heard in the media as well as in conversation. A corrupt person is called "mrchi", but this term is rarer in use.
Example
راه رشوة حرام
rah rechwa 7ram
“Bribes are haram.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “rachwa” but also “rechwa”, “rchwa”, “rachoua” and “rashwa”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “rachwa” on the Arabic keyboard
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “bribe”; “corruption”: rachwa in Tunisian.