Ways to say it
| Moroccan Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| شنو | shnu | |
| أشنو | ashnu | fuller form |
شنو opens almost any question about a thing or an idea, as in شنو هادشي؟, 'what is this?' The fuller أشنو is used the same way.
What does it mean word for word?
شنو likely comes from an older phrase meaning 'what is it', shortened over time, a common pattern of question-word formation in Darija.
Which one should you use?
شنو and أشنو mean exactly the same thing. The choice between them is a matter of personal or regional habit, not meaning.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Both forms are used at every level of casual speech, with no formal alternative in daily conversation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Both forms are heard across Morocco, sometimes with one more common than the other in a given region or family.
How does it change in a sentence?
شنو combines directly with other words, as in علاش, 'why', literally 'for what', and بشنو, 'with what'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is said quickly, with the stress on the first syllable: SHNU.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Learners sometimes use the Standard Arabic ماذا (madha), which Moroccans understand but rarely say in conversation.
Did you know?
- شنو is thought to come from a shortened older phrase meaning 'what is it', a common way question words form in spoken Arabic dialects.
- Darija builds many question words around شنو or ش, including علاش, 'why', literally 'for what'.
Examples in context
- شنو هادشي؟shnu hadshi?What is this?
- شنو بغيتي تاكل؟shnu bghiti takol?What do you want to eat?
- أشنو قالك؟ashnu qalek?What did he tell you?
Example conversation
Sara asks her friend Walid about a package on the table.
- Saraشنو هاد الشي اللي فوق الطابلة؟shnu had shshi lli fuq ttabla?What's that thing on the table?
- Walidهادي هدية ليك.hadi hdiya lik.This is a gift for you.
- Saraشنو كاين فيها؟shnu kayn fiha?What's inside it?
- Walidحلها وشوف بنفسك.hellha w shuf b nafsek.Open it and see for yourself.
