Greetings! If you’re interested in learning how to say “What are you doing?” in Darija, the Moroccan dialect of Arabic, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, I’ll provide you with formal and informal ways to ask this question, as well as some regional variations when necessary. Additionally, I’ll include tips, examples, and explanations throughout to help you grasp the nuances of the language. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Ask “What are You Doing?”
In formal situations, it’s important to use polite language when asking this question. Here are a few ways to do so:
- Mashi lakhdar wahdek? – This phrase translates to “Are you busy by yourself?” and is often used in formal settings to inquire about someone’s current activities.
- Lak tafhamni? – This means “Do you understand me?” but can also be used to politely ask what someone is doing. It’s more commonly used in professional or educational contexts.
- Shno qra? – Literally meaning “What are you reading?”, this phrase can be used to ask someone what they are currently occupied with in a formal setting.
Informal Ways to Ask “What are You Doing?”
In informal situations, you can use more relaxed and colloquial expressions to ask this question. Here are a few examples:
- Shno kaynin? – This is a common way to ask “What’s happening?” or “What’s going on?” in a casual manner. It can be used among friends or acquaintances to inquire about their activities.
- Lash khedamt/ktabt/shft? – These phrases mean “Why aren’t you working/writing/seeing (someone)?” and are used informally to ask someone about their current activities or lack thereof.
- Shkoun katjib/kanakal? – If you want to ask someone what they are writing or typing, you can use these expressions which translate to “Who are you writing to/what are you writing?” or “Who are you talking to/what are you saying?” respectively.
Regional Variations
While Darija is primarily spoken in Morocco, there can be slight variations in different regions and cities. Here are a few examples of variations you might encounter:
In northern Morocco: Instead of saying “Shno kaynin?”, people might use “Wach kaynin?” to ask “What’s happening?”.
In southern Morocco: Locals from the southern regions might use “Shno kayejri?” instead of “Shno kaynin?” to mean “What’s going on?”.
Remember, these regional variations are not significant and can be easily understood by speakers of Darija. Now, let’s move on to some additional tips and examples!
Tips and Examples
1. Be mindful of the context: When asking someone what they are doing, pay attention to the situation and adjust your tone and language accordingly.
2. Use appropriate greetings: Before asking about someone’s activities, it’s common courtesy to start with a greeting. For example, you can say “Salam alaykum” (Peace be upon you) or “Labas?” (How are you?) before asking the main question.
3. Listen for common responses: When someone answers your question, common responses might include “Ana kaywâklî” (I’m eating), “Kanqdor” (I’m studying), or “Ana kanzur” (I’m visiting). Listening for these phrases will help you better understand the response.
4. Learn common vocabulary: To expand your conversational skills in Darija, it’s useful to learn verbs related to different activities. For example, “savab” means “to work,” “qrâ” means “to read,” and “ndîr” means “to do/make.”
5. Practice with native speakers: The best way to become comfortable with asking “What are you doing?” and having conversations in Darija is to practice with native speakers. Take advantage of language exchange programs or find language partners to improve your skills.
Let’s have a few more examples to solidify your understanding:
Example 1:
Person A: Salam alaykum, shno kayjin f had lebda?
Person B: Labas, kanqdor. Wa shnou kaygolik?
Example 2:
Person A: Lash khedamt lfadl?
Person B: Ana kanqra, walakin fhemt lik.
Example 3:
Person A: Shkoun katjib dialek?
Person B: Kanakal m3a s7abi.
In Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve now learned how to ask “What are you doing?” in Darija. Remember to adjust your language based on the formality of the situation and pay attention to regional variations when necessary. By following the tips and examples provided, you’ll be well on your way to mastering this phrase and engaging in conversations with native Darija speakers. Keep practicing and enjoy your language learning journey. M’zyaaan!
