Do you think that Algerians speak Arabic? The truth is that the Algerian dialect originates from Arabic but it can be a language in its own right. Over the centuries, it has incorporated many words derived from French, Spanish and, Turkish-Ottoman.
English isn’t widely spoken in Algeria. So, master these essential Algerian phrases to get information, bargain for a good price, and build a good rapport with the locals.
Note that some of the words and phrases below are used mainly in Algiers but are understood everywhere in the country.
- Greetings
- Conversational
- Basics
- Shopping & Eating Out
- Transportation & Directions
- Places
- Time & Dates
- Emergencies
- Interesting Facts About The Languages In Algeria
Greetings
Hello | Salam/ Salam ‘likum |
Good morning | Sbah l-khir |
Good afternoon | Mas l-khir |
Goodbye | Abqa ’la khir |
Nice to meet you | Matsherfin |
Welcome | Mrahba bik |
➵ You might like: Algiers Travel Guide
Conversational
How are you? | Wesh rak? (masculine) Wesh raki (feminine) Wesh rakum (Plural) |
I am good thank you | Labas Hamdullah |
What’s your name? | Wasmak? |
My name is | Wasemni |
Do you speak English? | Tahder angli? |
I don’t speak French/ Arabic | Manahdersh fransi/ ‘arbiya |
How do you say… in Arabic? | Kifash nqulu …b l -‘arbiya? |
I don’t understand | Mafhamtsh |
➵ Read: The Ultimate Algeria Travel Guide
Basics
Yes | Ih |
No | Lala |
Please | T’ish |
Hopefully | Nshallah |
Thank you | Sahha |
You’re welcome | Yselmek |
Excuse me (as a question) | habbit nseqsik |
Excuse me (as sorry) | Smahli / Samehni |
Congratulations | Mabruk ‘lik |
Enjoy | Bsahtak |
Wait | Astenna |
Hurry up | Azrab / ghawel |
Go away | Amshi |
Let’s go to | Aya nruhu l-… |
I want to go to | Habbit nruh l-… |
May I take a picture? | Naqder nsewwer? |
A little bit | Shuiya |
A lot | bezzaf |
Shopping & Eating Out
Restaurant | Ristoran |
Do you have? | ‘andak? |
Not too spicy | Mashi harr bezzaf |
It was delicious | Bnin bezzaf |
The bill, please | l-adisyon T’ish / shhal sqametli? |
How much? | Shhal s-suma |
Very expensive | Ghali bezzaf |
Can you reduce the price? | Neqessli / Sa’edni |
Transportation & Directions
Taxi | Taxi |
Car | Tonobil |
Bus | Bis |
Right | Yumna |
Left | Yusra |
Straight | qbala |
Stop here | Ahbes hna |
Places
Down town | Centr vill |
Street | Zenqa |
Hotel | otal |
Museum | Mathaf |
Mall | sanṫr kommirsyal |
Market | Marshi / Souq |
Hospital | Sbitar |
Doctor | Tbib |
Police | polisiya |
Poste office | Posta |
Bank | Banka |
➵ Read: 11 great reasons to visit Algeria
Time & Dates
What time is it? | Shhal rahi s-sa’a? |
Today | l-yum |
Tomorrow | ghedwa |
The day after tomorrow | Ghir-ghedwa |
Yesterday | l-barah |
When? | Waqtash? |
Emergencies
Where is the toilet? | Win jayin li twalat |
Help me, please | ‘awenni T’ish |
Call an ambulance/ Call 14 | ‘ayyet l-ambulans |
I don’t feel good | Manish nhass ruhi mlih |
If you’re traveling or living in Algeria and want to pick up more keywords and phrases, you can check out my ebook: Algerian Arabic – All In One Learning Book
Interesting Facts About The Languages In Algeria
- There are two official languages in Algeria: Arab and Amazigh. Classic Arabic, also known as Literary Arabic, is the administrative language of the country. It’s also used in schools and mosques but you won’t hear it in the street.
- Each region has its own accent and pronunciation, some of them have even their own vocabulary.
- Not everyone speaks Classic Arabic fluently but the majority of people understands
- Amazigh is predominately spoken in some parts of the country.
- French is not widely spoken. You can use it almost everywhere to communicate. Although not everyone is fluent, most people can understand.
I hope you found this list of Algerian phrases and words to be useful. If you want to know how to say anything specific or learn certain Algerian phrases or words that aren’t in this list, leave a comment below.
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Asma says
Hi , I have placed an order for the ebook but clicked too many times on google to download and crashed. Now I went on safari and it says I can’t download as limit reached. How can I access it ?
Thanks
Nesrine says
Please check your email inbox 🙂
عطاء الرحمن says
hi Thanks lot actually I like to learn Algerian dialogue through Arabic tax
Thanks
Ahlem says
How to say “Candy” “Super sweet” And “I don’t want it in your mouth” in algerian?
ranya says
candy :”helwa”
super sweet “bezaf hlo”
i dont want it in your mouth “maranish habetha fi fomek”
Maria says
Thank you for this – very helpful, clear and easy to understand.
Maria says
Hello Nesrine , cuold i buy the book in any bookshop ?i am living in algiers
Nesrine says
Hi Maria, sorry for the late reply. No, not at this moment, only the ebook is available but you can print it.
Malith says
Is your book published?
Moses says
Good
NseAbasi Ibanga says
How do I say Pardon me in Algeria language
Nesrine says
you can say “Smahli” or “Samehni, both are correct.
If you say pardon as a way to ask someone to repeat something then you should say “aawed masme’tsh”
Hope that helps.
Isah lawan says
Hello, your efforts to teach us impress me, i live in Algeria now and I want the one that guide me to master the language, i need your help through the social media platforms like Facebook or WhatsApp
Anonymous says
tahia dzair
Keith young says
I am 77 years old can I hire a car at the airport as I want to visit Algeirs and Constantine. Full clean driving licence. Thanks Keith
Nesrine says
Hi Keith, It shouldn’t be a problem but try to contact a rental car agency to have more information.
rania says
how do u say my dad is… and my mum is… (in terms of ethnicity)
Nesrine says
Hi Rania, you can say yemma/baba + their origin + suffix a(f)/in, at (plr masc, plr f).
another way to say that is yemma asselha men + the place of origin/ baba asslu men + place of origin.
I hope this helps
ROCHELLE OBISPADO says
Would like to learn more words and learn to speak Algerian and Arabic language please
Karetae14 says
Actually i am algerian i think i Can offert you some help IS there Like any word in particular that you wanna learn
eb says
o.o, is ur book published?
Ahmed says
Hi there, do you know or could recommend any websites that fully teach one Algerian Arabic?
admin says
Hi Ahmed, unfortunately, I can’t help you! However, I will publish an Algerian Arabic learning E-book soon:)
Toby Yarwood says
Hi, thanks for the website. It’s really useful. I’m moving to Algiers abs wound live to learn Algerian Arabic.
Tiby
Toby Yarwood says
Sorry. I hit send without checking! ..and I would love to learn Algerian.
Toby
admin says
Hi Toby,
I hope you’ll have a smooth transition 🙂 my Algerian learning ebook is now available. you can check it out!
yasmine says
this is very usefull, thank you
admin says
Thank you for taking the time to read my post 🙂
Asma says
how to say we are all in it in algeria
Zina Benchouiekh says
rana ga3 fiha! we’re all in it!
Karetae14 says
Wlh ghir Kayn n’as latyin yet3almou djaizairi and you did a great job offering help ya3tik saha