Basic Words

1. Ih

   Yes

   Usage

   A short affirmative reply; the negative is "Ala"

   Grammar Note

   Its pair is "Ala"; "Uhu" is a casual "no". Sentence negation is "ur … ara".

2. Ala

   No

   Usage

   A short negative reply; "Uhu" is a casual alternative

   Grammar Note

   The affirmative is "Ih". "Ala" can also negate a noun, but verb sentences are negated with "ur … ara".

3. Ma ulac aɣilif

   Please

   Usage

   A polite "please" added to a request or an order; suited to staff and older people

   Grammar Note

   Literally "if there is no problem". Between friends "Ttxil-k" (to a man) / "Ttxil-m" (to a woman) is also used.

4. Tanemmirt

   Thank you

   Usage

   The basic word of thanks; it works on its own with anyone

   Grammar Note

   It is a noun, so the person thanked is added as a suffix: "Tanemmirt-ik" (to a man), "Tanemmirt-im" (to a woman).

5. Suref-iyi

   Excuse me

   Usage

   Works for getting attention, interrupting, and a light apology

   Grammar Note

   An imperative plus the object clitic "-iyi". The imperative is written both "Suref" and "Ssuref".

6. Sameḥ-iyi

   I'm sorry

   Usage

   A real apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake

   Grammar Note

   Literally "forgive me". To get attention, use "Suref-iyi" instead.

7. Ulac ugur

   It's OK

   Usage

   Both "no harm done" when someone apologises and a soft "no thanks" to an offer

   Grammar Note

   Literally "there is no problem". "Ulac aɣilif" means the same.

8. Ur fhimeɣ ara

   I don't understand

   Usage

   The first sentence to say when you cannot follow what is said

   Grammar Note

   Negation wraps the verb as "ur … ara". Dropping "ara" is an error, except when another negative word is present (as in "Ur fhimeɣ walu").

9. Fehmeɣ

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms the explanation landed; clearer than just nodding

   Grammar Note

   The ending "-eɣ" marks "I", so no pronoun is needed. The negative is "Ur fhimeɣ ara".

10. Fukkeɣ

    I'm finished

    Usage

    Signals a meal, payment or procedure is complete; also used to have plates cleared

    Grammar Note

    The spelling "Fakeɣ" also occurs, but "Fukkeɣ" is more common. With an object clitic: "Fukkeɣ-t" (I finished it).

11. Ttxil-k, rǧu kan

    Please wait

    Usage

    To ask someone to hold on while you dig out luggage or paperwork

    Grammar Note

    To a woman: "Ttxil-m, rǧu kan". Both words are verified, but the combination is composed from verified parts.

12. Rǧu cwiṭ

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A light, short hold-on for a brief pause at a till or before a photo

    Grammar Note

    For several people "Rǧut cwiṭ" (m).

13. Ur ḥeṛṛeɣ ara amkan

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    The first thing to say when walking into a restaurant or hotel without booking

    Grammar Note

    Composed by negating the attested "Ḥeṛṛeɣ amkan" (I reserved a place) with "ur … ara". Few attestations, so it needs native review.

14. Ḥeṛṛeɣ amkan

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it on arrival, then give your name to speed things up

    Grammar Note

    Literally "I reserved a place"; the attested uses are for tables and seats. A hotel room may use another word, so it needs native review.

15. Ttxil-k, ɛiwen-iyi

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or an emergency; it is fine to say this loudly

    Grammar Note

    To a woman: "Ttxil-m, ɛiwen-iyi". The variant "Ɛawen-iyi" is also common.

16. Ɛiwed-as tikkelt, ma ulac aɣilif

    Once more, please

    Usage

    When you missed what was said, handy for prices and room numbers

    Grammar Note

    "Ɛiwed-as tikkelt" is also the usual "do it again". "Ttxil-k" can replace "Ma ulac aɣilif".

17. Ttxil-k, hḍeṛ s leɛqel

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speed is the problem; works well combined with "once more"

    Grammar Note

    To a woman: "Ttxil-m, hḍeṛ s leɛqel"; to several people the verb is "heḍṛet". "S ttawil" means the same.

18. Heddṛeɣ cwiṭ

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Sets expectations early so the other person switches to simpler wording

    Grammar Note

    Attested with a language name added, as in "Heddṛeɣ cwiṭ tafṛansist" (I speak a little French). "Ttmeslayeɣ" works the same way. The short form here is composed from verified parts.

19. Tettmeslayeḍ taglizit?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when communication stalls; usually works at hotels and airports

    Grammar Note

    The 2sg ending "-eḍ" does not mark gender. "Tessneḍ taglizit?" (do you know English?) is an alternative.

20. Wagi

    This one

    Usage

    Points at something in front of you; clearest together with pointing

    Grammar Note

    For feminine nouns use "Tagi". It also appears inside sentences, as in "D acu-t wagi?" (what is this?).

21. Wihin

    That one

    Usage

    Points at something farther away

    Grammar Note

    For feminine nouns use "Tihin". For something close, use "Wagi".

22. Dagi

    Here

    Usage

    Points at this spot; also used on a map

    Grammar Note

    "Da" alone also means "here". Prepositions can precede it, as in "Ɣer dagi?" (is it for here?).

23. Din

    There

    Usage

    Points at a spot away from you

    Grammar Note

    The form "Dihin" is also used. For a nearby spot, use "Dagi".

24. Nekk

    I, me

    Usage

    Shown to make clear you mean yourself

    Grammar Note

    The verb already carries the person ending, so "I" is usually omitted; "nekk" is used for emphasis or short answers.

25. Kečč

    You

    Usage

    Points at the other person; this is the form for a man

    Grammar Note

    For a woman use "Kemm"; for several men "Kunwi", for several women "Kunemti". It is usually omitted because the verb already carries the ending.

26. Ad nruḥ akken

    Let's go together

    Usage

    When proposing to go or sit together; "akken" supplies the "together"

    Grammar Note

    It combines with other verbs, as in "Ad neččet akken" (let's eat together). "Akken" also means "as, in this way", which context tells apart.

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