3allag علق

Algerian Darja · verb

“3allag” (علق) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning to hang, to hang up.

Meanings

1. to hang, to hang up
2. to comment
3. to leave pending

Usage

3allag (3allaq, 3allek depending on the region) first means "to hang, to hang up" an object: a picture on the wall, clothes. You say "3allagha f lhit", "hang it on the wall". Under the influence of Standard Arabic and social media, the verb is also used for "to comment", with the preposition 3la: "3allag 3la la vidéo". It can also mean "to leave pending" a matter or a file. The pronunciation varies: q becomes g in much of the country. The corresponding noun is ta3lig or ta3liq, "comment".

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “3allag” but also “3allek”, “3alleq”, “3alla9” and “3ala9”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent; 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.

Type “3allag” on the Arabic keyboard

In Tunisian Derja

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “to hang up, suspend”; “to comment”: 3alla9 in Tunisian.