Small talk in Algeria is longer than in English and it is not optional. Asking after somebody's health, their family and their day is how a conversation opens, and skipping it reads as cold rather than efficient.
The good news is that it is highly formulaic. Learn ten of these exchanges and you can hold up your end of nearly any casual conversation.
4 sentences to start with
«واش راك تدير ؟» «والو، راني قاعد.»
«wesh rak ddir ?» «walu, rani qa3ed.»
“What are you up to?” “Nothing, just sitting around.”
راني جيعان بزّاف.
rani ji3an bezzaf.
I'm really hungry.
المكلة بنينة، صحّة يديك.
lmekla bnina, ṣaḥḥa yeddik.
The food is delicious, bless your hands.
راني عيّان، رايح نرقد.
rani 3iyyan, rayeḥ nerqod.
I'm tired, I'm going to sleep.
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