3la djal على جال
Algerian Darja · preposition
“3la djal” (على جال) is a preposition in Algerian Darja meaning because of, on account of.
Meanings
- because of, on account of
- for, for the sake of
Usage
3la djal introduces the cause, or the person for whom one acts. It takes a noun or a suffixed pronoun: "3la djalek", "for you, because of you". Followed by "belli", it introduces a causal clause: "3la djal belli", "because". It is a colloquial and very common construction. The meaning depends on context: it can be a reproach ("because of you") or a sign of affection ("I did it for you"). Do not confuse it with djal on its own, which is rarer.
Example
جيت على جالك برك
jit 3la djalek berk
“I came only for you.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “3la djal” but also “3la jal” and “ala djal”. 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.
Type “3la djal” on the Arabic keyboard
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “for, for the sake of”; “because of”: 3la jal in Tunisian.