kif ma كيف ما
Tunisian Derja · conjunction
“kif ma” (كيف ما) is a conjunction in Tunisian Derja meaning as, the same way as.
Meanings
- as, the same way as
- the way that, according to what
Usage
Kif ma introduces a clause of comparison or conformity: "kif ma 9oltlek" (as I told you), "kif ma t7eb" (as you like). It is followed by a conjugated verb. Before a noun or pronoun, kif ("kif khouk", like your brother) or kima is used instead. It is often written as one word, kifma. It is a very common construction, valid in all registers of spoken language. Pitfall: ma has no negative value here; it is part of the conjunction.
Example
اعملها كيف ما قلتلك
a3melha kif ma 9oltlek
“Do it the way I told you.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “kif ma” but also “kif mé”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “kif ma” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “as, the way that”; “just as”: kif ma in Moroccan.