What does it mean word for word?
الما is the Darija form of the Standard Arabic الماء (al-ma), with the final glottal sound dropped, a typical Darija shortening.
Which one should you use?
There is one everyday word for water in Darija, with no separate casual or formal version to choose between.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
الما is used at every level of speech, from a child asking for a drink to a formal context.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word is shared across Morocco and close to the word used across most Arabic dialects.
How does it change in a sentence?
الما already carries the definite article ال, so it is normally said and used as one fixed word for 'the water' or simply 'water'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word ends in a short, open a sound: l-MA.
When do people say it?
بيت الما, 'house of water', the common word for bathroom, shows how central water is to everyday Darija vocabulary.
Did you know?
- الما drops the final glottal sound of Standard Arabic الماء, one of the clearest examples of Darija simplifying everyday nouns.
- Morocco's High Atlas mountains feed many natural springs, and hikers often refill water bottles directly from them along the trails.
Examples in context
- بغيت كاس ديال الما.bghit kas dyal lma.I want a glass of water.
- الما سخون بزاف.lma skhun bzzaf.The water is very hot.
- شريت قرعة ديال الما.sherit qer3a dyal lma.I bought a bottle of water.
Example conversation
A hiker, Reda, asks his guide, Omar, for water during a trek in the Atlas mountains.
- Redaعندك شي حاجة ديال الما؟andek shi haja dyal lma?Do you have any water?
- Omarواخا، هاك قرعة باردة.wakha, hak qer3a barda.Yes, here is a cold bottle.
- Redaشكرا بزاف، عطشان بزاف.shukran bzzaf, 3atshan bzzaf.Thank you very much, I'm very thirsty.
- Omarكول هاد الطريق، كاين عين ديال الما قريبة.kul had ttriq, kayn 3in dyal lma qriba.On this whole path, there's a spring nearby.
