What an Algerian eats in a day

Today we’re learning something fun and super useful: the names of the daily meals in Algeria and what people usually eat in each one. This lesson helps you understand the culture and gives you real vocabulary you’ll use in daily conversations. Let’s dive in!

The 4 Main Meals in Algeria

In Algeria, we have four meals we use in everyday speech:

1. F’tour esba7/ Breakfast

2. Liftour (Lighdaa)/ Lunch

3. Qahwa ta3 Li3chiyya /Afternoon Coffee

4. Li3cha/Dinner

   And before we continue… let’s not forget the loyal friend of every Algerian table: khobz (bread).
   Wallah, it’s always there. Always. 😂

   F’tour esba7/ Breakfast

   Breakfast usually happens between 6:00 and

   7:30 AM before everyone runs to school or work.

   What do people have?

   ☕ qahwa ka7la (black coffee)
   ☕ qahwa 7lib (coffee with milk)

   And with that coffee, there’s always

   something to eat:

   khobz (bread)_ baryouch_ m’bessess _ matlou3 _ kisra _ croissant

   Liftour (Lighdaa)/ Lunch

   Lunch time is usually between 12:00 and 1:30 PM.

   If someone is working and can’t go home, they’ll grab something quick — and trust me, Algeria has lots of delicious fast options:

   garantita _ shawarma sandwich _ pizza _ soufflé

   These are the classics you’ll see everywhere.

   Qahwa ta3 Li3chiyya /Afternoon Coffee

   This one is between 3:00 and 5:00 PM, right after school or work. It’s basically a small pause to recharge. People drink coffee (black or with milk) and usually enjoy something sweet with it:

   mouskoutchou _ homemade cookies _ pastries from the bakery

   Afternoon coffee without something sweet? Ma yjiich. It doesn’t feel complete. 😄

Li3cha/Dinner

Dinner is at home, usually after Maghrib and before ʿIsha.
The timing changes from one family to another.

What’s on the table?

a main dish _ khobz (of course!) _a salad

Some families love to have gazouz (soft drink) with dinner (or lunch)

For dessert: fruit or just gazouz/ jus (juice)

Simple, cozy, and always shared with the family.

These are the four daily meals in Algeria and what people usually eat.
Now you not only know the words — you also understand how Algerians actually live their day.

Thank you for reading!