sam7 سامح
Moroccan Darija · verb
“sam7” (سامح) is a verb in Moroccan Darija meaning to forgive.
Meanings
- to forgive
- to excuse, let off
Usage
A common verb for "to forgive". It takes a direct object: samhni, "forgive me", sme7 lia, "excuse me". The phrase sme7 lia also serves as a polite excuse, for example to get someone's attention or to pass in front of them. Allah ysam7ek, "may God forgive you", is used as a softened reproach or a pious formula. The verb is also used to waive a debt or something owed: sam7tek, "I let you off". The person forgiven is the direct object, with no preposition. Neutral register, found in all situations.
Example
سامحني، ما كانش قصدي
sam7ni, ma kanch qasdi
“Forgive me, I didn't mean to.”
Conjugation
Forms as recorded in DODa and reproduced in its spelling, which often leaves out short vowels.
| Imperfective (present) | Perfective (past) | Imperative | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ana (I) | kansam7 | sam7t | |
| nta (you, m.) | katsam7 | sam7ti | sam7 |
| nti (you, f.) | katsam7i | sam7ti | sam7i |
| howa (he) | kaysam7 | sam7 | |
| hiya (she) | katsam7 | sam7at | |
| 7na (we) | kansam7o | sam7na | |
| ntouma (you, pl.) | katsam7o | sam7to | sam7o |
| homa (they) | kaysam7o | sam7o |
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “sam7” but also “same7”, “sameh” and “sme7”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 7 is ha (ح), a breathy h from the throat.