Adjectives

1. Ameqqran

   Big

   Usage

   The basic adjective for size (masculine form)

   Grammar Note

   For a feminine noun the feminine form is used. The verb "meqqer" (to be big) is also common, as in "Meqqer aṭas" (it is too big).

2. Amecṭuḥ

   Small

   Usage

   The opposite of big; used to ask for something smaller

   Grammar Note

   Masculine form. It is a different word from "ameẓyan" (young, small).

3. Ẓẓay

   Heavy

   Usage

   For the weight of luggage and other things

   Grammar Note

   It is a stative verb, so it is a full sentence on its own. For a feminine noun use "Ẓẓayet". "Ẓẓay mliḥ fell-i" means "it is too heavy for me".

4. D afessas

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   For saying a bag or object is not heavy

   Grammar Note

   "afessas" also means "easy", so use it where the talk is clearly about weight. Feminine form: "tafessast".

5. Ɣlay

   Expensive

   Usage

   Says the price is high; the opening move when haggling

   Grammar Note

   A stative verb that is a sentence by itself. Intensify with "Ɣlay aṭas" (very expensive); for feminine or plural subjects use "Ɣlayet".

6. Rxis

   Cheap

   Usage

   The opposite of expensive; used to ask for something cheaper

   Grammar Note

   A stative verb. Negative: "Ur rxis ara" (not cheap); feminine: "rxiset".

7. Yeḥma

   Hot

   Usage

   For things hot to the touch such as tea, soup or water

   Grammar Note

   For a feminine noun use "Teḥma". Example: "Yeḥma useqqi" (the soup is hot). Hot weather is "Yeḥma lḥal", given in a separate card.

8. Semmeḍ

   Cold

   Usage

   For things cold to the touch such as food, water or a bed

   Grammar Note

   Example: "Semmeḍ wučči" (the food is cold). The noun "asemmiḍ" (cold) is also used as "D asemmiḍ". Cold weather is given in a separate card.

9. Amaynut

   New

   Usage

   For something brand new

   Grammar Note

   Masculine form; use "tamaynut" for a feminine noun. It follows the noun it modifies.

10. Aqdim

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    For old objects or buildings, not for people

    Grammar Note

    Used for things. For an elderly person use "amɣar". "Aqbur" is also used for "old".

11. Meẓẓi

    Young

    Usage

    About a person's age; common in small talk

    Grammar Note

    A stative verb: "Meẓẓiyeɣ" (I am young), feminine "Meẓẓiyet". The adjective "ameẓyan" (petit) also exists.

12. Amɣar

    Old (person)

    Usage

    Refers to an elderly man; not used for objects

    Grammar Note

    A noun for an elderly man. An elderly woman is "tamɣart". Plural "imɣaren". Also spelled "amɣaṛ".

13. Zeddig

    Clean

    Usage

    For praising cleanliness or asking whether a place is clean

    Grammar Note

    A stative verb: "Zeddig wemkan-a?" (is this place clean?), negative "Ur zeddig ara". A feminine form "Tzeddig" would follow the rule but was not verified.

14. Yumes

    Dirty

    Usage

    The reason to give when asking for a change of room or dishes

    Grammar Note

    A stative verb: "Yumes?" (is it dirty?), "Yumes akk" (it is all dirty). Feminine: "Tumes". The noun "ammus" is also used as "D ammus".

15. Yelha

    Good

    Usage

    A positive verdict; also usable to signal agreement

    Grammar Note

    Alone it also works as "great!". Use "Telha" for a feminine noun.

16. Ur yelhi ara

    Not good

    Usage

    A negative verdict; also usable for health and weather

    Grammar Note

    No stand-alone adjective for "bad" was verified, so it is expressed as the negative "not good". Feminine: "Ur telhi ara".

17. Yeqreb

    Near

    Usage

    For checking whether something is close enough to walk

    Grammar Note

    A stative verb, e.g. "Anafag yeqreb sya" (the airport is close to here). The adverb "qrib" (soon, almost) is used differently.

18. Yebɛed

    Far

    Usage

    Says it is far; your cue to look for transport

    Grammar Note

    A stative verb: "Yebɛed?" (is it far?), "Yebɛed mliḥ" (very far). Use "Tebɛed" for a feminine noun.

19. Zik

    Early

    Usage

    Early in time; for first departures and opening hours

    Grammar Note

    An adverb. "Zik aṭas" means "very early". The same word also means "long ago".

20. Iɛedda lḥal

    Late

    Usage

    Late in time; for last departures and closing hours

    Grammar Note

    Literally "the time has passed". Not the same as "iɛeṭṭel", which means being behind schedule.

21. Aṭas

    Many

    Usage

    A large amount or number; also used to describe crowds

    Grammar Note

    An adverb placed before the noun with "n" (for example "aṭas n medden", many people). After a verb it also means "very".

22. Cwiṭ

    Few

    Usage

    A small amount or number; for asking for less of something

    Grammar Note

    An adverb placed before the noun with "n" (for example "cwiṭ n waman", a little water).

23. Yeḥma lḥal

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Hot weather; learn it separately from hot objects

    Grammar Note

    Literally "the situation is hot". "Yeḥma lḥal ass-a" means "it is hot today". "D aẓɣal" (great heat) is another way to say it.

24. Semmeḍ lḥal

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Cold weather; learn it separately from cold objects

    Grammar Note

    "Semmeḍ lḥal aṭas ass-a" means "it is very cold today". "D asemmiḍ deg beṛṛa" (it is cold outside) is another way to say it.

25. Bnin

    Delicious

    Usage

    The most common compliment at a meal

    Grammar Note

    For feminine or plural subjects "Bninet". Intensify with "Acḥal bnin!" (how delicious).

26. D afelleq!

    Amazing

    Usage

    Expresses surprise or admiration

27. Ugar

    More

    Usage

    Used when asking for more of something

    Grammar Note

    An adverb. "Ugar!" alone means "More!". "Rnu!" (add) works in the same situation.

28. Cwiṭ kan

    Just a little

    Usage

    When you want only a small amount

29. Azgen

    Half

    Usage

    When you want half of an amount

    Grammar Note

    A noun. "Azgen seg waya" means "half of this".

30. Dayen

    That is enough

    Usage

    To stop someone pouring or serving more

    Grammar Note

    With a clitic: "Dayen-ik" (to a man) / "Dayen-ikem" (to a woman). The stronger "Beṛka!" (stop it) also exists.

31. Tura kan

    Right now

    Usage

    To say something is needed immediately

    Grammar Note

    "Tura kan i ččiɣ" means "I have just eaten", so the sense depends on context.

32. Yiwen n wemdan

    One person

    Usage

    When stating a party size for a table or room

    Grammar Note

    After the numeral comes "n" plus the noun in the construct state, so "amdan" becomes "wemdan".

33. Sin n yimdanen

    Two people

    Usage

    When stating a party size for a table or room

    Grammar Note

    Numeral + "n" + plural noun in the construct state. This is composed from verified parts and needs native review.

34. Kraḍ n yimdanen

    Three people

    Usage

    When stating a party size for a table or room

    Grammar Note

    Same pattern as "kraḍ n yigerdan" (three children). This is composed from verified parts and needs native review.

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