Ways to say it
| Algerian Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| بركة | barka | enough, stop it |
| وقف | wqef | to a man, halt |
| وقفي | wqefi | to a woman |
To tell someone to physically halt, Algerians say وقف (wqef) to a man or وقفي (wqefi) to a woman, such as stopping a car or a person walking.
What does it mean word for word?
بركة comes from the same root as 'blessing' but in this use means 'enough is enough'. وقف is the plain imperative of the verb 'to stand' or 'to halt'.
Which one should you use?
بركة stops an action or a behavior, such as teasing or arguing. وقف/وقفي stops physical movement.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Both are informal, used directly and bluntly, so tone matters a great deal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
بركة is used across the Maghreb as a vivid, recognizable interjection, distinct from the more neutral Standard Arabic كفى.
How does it change in a sentence?
وقف changes with gender and number: وقف to a man, وقفي to a woman, وقفوا to a group. بركة stays the same for everyone.
How do you pronounce it?
بركة stresses the first syllable, 'BAR-ka', with a short, clipped ending.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Using بركة to mean 'halt' physically would confuse a listener, since it is about stopping behavior, not movement.
When do people say it?
بركة is often shouted good naturedly during teasing among friends or siblings, not only in genuine annoyance.
Did you know?
- بركة shares a root with the word for 'blessing', but in everyday speech it has become a standalone way to say 'enough'.
- The imperative وقف is also the word Algerians use when telling a taxi driver to stop the car.
Examples in context
- بركة، خلاص فهمت.barka, khlas fhemt.Stop it, I already understood.
- وقف هنا، عفاك.wqef hna, afak.Stop here, please.
- وقفي شوية، نهدر معاكي.wqefi chwiya, nehder m3aki.Stop for a moment, I want to talk to you.
Example conversation
Nadia tells her little brother Anis to stop teasing her.
- Anisنادية نادية نادية!Nadia Nadia Nadia!Nadia, Nadia, Nadia!
- Nadiaبركة، راك متقل.barka, rak metqal.Stop it, you are annoying.
- Anisواخا، آسف.wakha, asef.Okay, sorry.
- Nadiaمليح، خلينا نكملو الواجب.mlih, khallina nekemlou lwajeb.Good, let us finish our homework.
