10 Must-Know Algerian Arabic Words & Expressions for Ramadan! 🌙 Part1🌙

Ramadan is a special time of the year, and if you’re learning Algerian Arabic, knowing the right words and expressions will help you connect with locals and understand the culture better. In this lesson, we’ll go over 10 must-know Algerian Arabic words and phrases that people use during Ramadan. Let’s dive in!

1_ يصوم

(Verb ) to fast

Examples:

غدوة نصومو أوّل رمضان إن شاء الله

/ghodwa n’soumou awwal ramda:n incha:llah/

Tomorrow, we will fast the first day of Ramadan, Insha'Allah

هاد العام وليدي رح يصوم رمضان

/ha:d el3a:m w’li:di: ra7 y’soum ramda:n/

This year, my son will fast Ramadan

2_ صايم

(active participle acting like an adjective)

I’m fasting

Examples:

راني صايم يا وليدي مانقدرش ناكل معاك

/ra:ni: sa:yim ya: w’li:di: ma:naqderch na:kol m’3a:k/

I'm fasting, my son. I can't eat with you

ما تقلّقنيش راني صايم

/ma:t’qallaqni:ch ra:ni: sa:yim/

Don’t bother me, I’m fasting!

3_ يكسر الصيام

(expression)

Break the fast with a small bite of food, typically a few sips of water or sour milk, and some dates.

Examples:

أنا نكسر الصّيام بالماء والتمر

/ana: naksar essiya:m bilma: w t’mar/

I break my fast with water and dates

أكسر صيامك قبل ما تصلّي

/aksar s’ya:mik qbal ma t’salli:/

Break your fast before you pray

4_ يفطر

(verb)

It also means “to break the fast”, but it generally refers to having the full iftar meal 

Examples:

في رمضان نفطرو كل يوم مع العايلة

/fi: ramda:n naftrou kol youm m’3a l’3a:yla/

In Ramadan, we have iftar meal with the family everyday

ليوم فطرت حريرة بنينة

/l’youm f’tart 7’ri:ra b’ni:na/

Today, I had a delicious Harira for iftar

5_فاطر

(active participle acting like an adjective)

I’m not fasting

Examples:

جدّي فاطر ليوم راه مريض

/jiddi: fa:tir l’youm ra:h m’ri:d/

My grandfather is not fasting today; he is sick

راك صايم ولا فاطر ليوم؟

(asking a kid)

/ra:k sa:yim walla: fa:tir l’youm/

Are you fasting or not today?

6_فطور

The full iftar meal of Ramadan

Examples:

عرضنا دار عمّي في الفطور

/3’radna: da:r 3ammi: fi lif’tour/

We invited my uncle’s family for iftar

واش طيّبتي ليوم في الفطور؟

/wa:ch tayyabti: l’youm fi lif’tour/

What did you prepare today for iftar?

7_يتسحّر

(verb)

to have the pre-dawn meal before fasting

Examples:

كل يوم في رمضان نتسحّر بالطّعام واللبن

/kol youm fi ramda:n nitsa77ar bitt3a:m w l’ben/

Everyday in Ramadan, I have suhoor with couscous and sour milk

لازم تتسحّر في رمضان

/la:zim titsa77ar fi ramda:n/

In Ramadan, you have to have suhoor

8_سحور

The pre-dawn meal

Examples:

خويا ما فطنش ليوم للسّحور

/khouya: maftanch l’youm liss’7our/

My brother didn't wake up for Suhoor today

رح نرقد شوية بعد السّحور

/ra7 norgod ch’wiyya ba3d ess7our/

I will sleep for a bit after suhoor

9_صحّا فطورك

The most common expression in Ramadan to wish someone a good meal is used before or after having iftar

Examples:

صحّا فطورك خويا! نتلاقاو غدوة إن شاء الله

/sa77a: f’tourik khouya netla:ga:w ghodwa incha:llah/

“Sa7a F’tourik” my brother! See you tomorrow, Insha’Allah

صحّا فطوركم! وشراكم لباس؟

/sa77a: f’tourkom wachra:kom laba:s/

“Sa7a F’tourkom”, how are you?

10_صحّا سحورك

An expression used to wish someone a good meal, specifically before the pre-dawn meal (Suhoor)

Example:

صحّا سحورك. تصبح على خير

/sa77a: s’7ourik tisba7 3’la khi:r/

“Sa7a S’7ourik”, have a good night!

Now you know 10 essential Algerian Arabic words and expressions for Ramadan! 🌙 Using these phrases will help you connect with others and embrace the spirit of the holy month. Try them out and keep practicing! 😊