yemken يمكن
Tunisian Derja · adverb
“yemken” (يمكن) is an adverb in Tunisian Derja meaning maybe, perhaps.
Meanings
- maybe, perhaps
- it is possible (that)
Usage
Ymken is mostly used as an adverb of doubt, at the start of a sentence: "ymken yji ghodwa" (he may come tomorrow). On its own, it is a cautious answer: "ymken" (maybe). It is also found in set phrases such as "b asra3 ma ymken" (as fast as possible) or "a9rab ma ymken" (as close as possible). In the negative, "ma ymkench" means "it's impossible, no way". To express ability, "to be able to do", njem is used instead: "tnajjem tji ?" (can you come?), not ymken.
Example
يمكن نتأخّر شويّة الليلة
ymken net2a5er chwaya el lila
“I might be a little late tonight.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “yemken” but also “yemkin”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “yemken” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “maybe, perhaps”; “it is possible that”: yemken in Moroccan.
In Algerian Darja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Algerian Darja, where it means “maybe, perhaps”; “it is possible that”: yemken in Algerian.