Basic Nouns

1. Aman

   Water

   Usage

   The basic word for drinking water, understood in any eatery or shop

   Grammar Note

   A noun that is always plural in form. In the construct state it becomes "waman" (e.g. "lkas n waman", a glass of water).

2. Imekli

   Food

   Usage

   The general word for food or a meal, a way into asking where you can eat

   Grammar Note

   "Tuččit" is used with a similar sense.

3. Idrimen

   Money

   Usage

   The base word for anything about paying or changing currency

   Grammar Note

   The plural of "adrim", and the usual way to say "money". For example "Idrimen ulac" (there is no money).

4. Abduz

   Toilet

   Usage

   Essential when asking directions; the word alone usually does the job

   Grammar Note

   Masculine; the construct state is "ubduz". It is also used in an insult, so use it only as the name of the place.

5. Ddwa

   Medicine

   Usage

   Use it at a pharmacy while miming your symptom

   Grammar Note

   Feminine. "Asafar" is listed as a synonym but also means an ingredient or preparation, so "ddwa" is the safer word for medicine.

6. Tasarut

   Key

   Usage

   For room keys and locker keys

   Grammar Note

   Feminine; the plural is "tuccar" (also written "ticcart").

7. Atiki

   Ticket

   Usage

   Transport or entry tickets; combine it with a number at the counter

   Grammar Note

   For example "Atiki, ttxil-k" (ticket, please).

8. Amsineg

   Passport

   Usage

   Requested at check-in and currency exchange, and the word you need if it goes missing

   Grammar Note

   Masculine. "umsineg-inu" (my passport).

9. Tilifun

   Phone

   Usage

   Usually covers both the device and the act of calling

   Grammar Note

   Masculine. "Asawal" (phone, call) is also used. For example "D tilifun-ik?" (is this your phone?).

10. Teɣsert

    Station

    Usage

    A landmark word when asking for directions

    Grammar Note

    Feminine. Used as in "Anda i d-yezga teɣsert?" (where is the station?).

11. Sbiṭar

    Hospital

    Usage

    For when you fall ill; works as a destination in a taxi

    Grammar Note

    Masculine. For example "Anda-t sbiṭar?" (where is the hospital?).

12. Tamsulta

    Police

    Usage

    For theft or accidents; even the bare word conveys urgency

    Grammar Note

    Feminine; "Tamsulta!" can be shouted as a call.

13. Taḥanut

    Shop

    Usage

    The base word when asking where to buy something

    Grammar Note

    Feminine. For example "Ttnadiɣ taḥanut" (I am looking for a shop).

14. Taxxamt

    Room

    Usage

    For accommodation: checking vacancies or explaining a room number

    Grammar Note

    Feminine; a diminutive of "axxam" (house).

15. Abrid

    Road

    Usage

    For asking the way, ideally while pointing at a map

    Grammar Note

    Masculine; the plural is "iberdan".

16. Tawacult

    Family

    Usage

    A guaranteed small-talk topic

    Grammar Note

    Feminine. A possessive clitic is added, as in "Tawacult-iw" (my family).

17. Isem

    Name

    Usage

    For confirming a booking or introducing yourself

    Grammar Note

    Masculine. A possessive clitic is added, as in "Isem-iw ..." (my name is ...).

18. Aqerru

    Head

    Usage

    Body-part word for pointing out where it hurts

    Grammar Note

    Masculine. The construct state is "uqerru", to which a possessive clitic can be added ("uqerru-inu", my head).

19. Tiṭ

    Eye

    Usage

    Body-part word for describing an eye problem

    Grammar Note

    Feminine; the plural is "allen".

20. Tuɣmas

    Teeth

    Usage

    Body-part word for toothache

    Grammar Note

    The plural of "tuɣmest" (one tooth). For example "Sired tuɣmas-ik" (brush your teeth).

21. Taɣect

    Throat

    Usage

    Body-part word for a sore throat

    Grammar Note

    Feminine; it also means "voice". For example "Uḍneɣ taɣect-iw" (my throat hurts).

22. Taɛebbuṭ

    Stomach, belly

    Usage

    Body-part word for pointing at abdominal pain

    Grammar Note

    Feminine. "Uḍneɣ taɛebbuṭ-iw" (my stomach hurts). The masculine form "aɛebbuḍ" is also common.

23. Aɛrur

    Back

    Usage

    Body-part word for back pain

    Grammar Note

    Masculine; "azagur" is a synonym. For example "Iqṛeḥ-iyi weɛrur-iw" (my back hurts).

24. Aḍar

    Foot

    Usage

    Body-part word for pointing at a foot injury

    Grammar Note

    Also written "aḍaṛ", but "aḍar" is more common.

25. Afus

    Hand

    Usage

    Body-part word for pointing at a hand injury

    Grammar Note

    Masculine; the plural is "ifassen". It also means "help".

26. Idmaren

    Chest

    Usage

    Points at chest pain, e.g. when reporting cardiac symptoms

    Grammar Note

    A plural-form noun used for "chest". For example "Uḍneɣ idmaren-iw" (my chest hurts).

27. Asensu

    Hotel

    Usage

    Shown to a taxi driver or passer-by as a destination

    Grammar Note

    Masculine; the construct state is "usensu". For example "Anda i d-yezga usensu?" (where is the hotel?).

28. Anafag

    Airport

    Usage

    Shown to a taxi driver or passer-by as a destination

    Grammar Note

    Masculine. After a preposition it becomes "unafag" (e.g. "deg unafag", at the airport).

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