7aggar حڤار
Algerian Darja · adjective
“7aggar” (حڤار) is an adjective in Algerian Darja meaning oppressive, abusing one's power.
Meanings
- oppressive, abusing one's power
- contemptuous toward the weak
Usage
7aggar belongs to the same word family as hogra, injustice mixed with contempt, a central notion in Algeria, and the verb 7gar, "to oppress, to belittle". It describes someone who crushes others, cuts them off or abuses their position. It is said of a person, a boss or an administration. The word is also used jokingly among friends, for someone who doesn't let others speak. The "g" is pronounced hard and is often written with the letter ڤ. The feminine is 7aggara. Note: the meaning is not "mean" in general. The word targets an unjust power imbalance.
Example
الشاف تاعنا حڤار، ما يخليك تهدر حتى كلمة.
chef ta3na 7aggar, ma ykhallik tahder 7atta kelma.
“Our boss is a tyrant, he doesn't let you say a single word.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, it is written “7aggar”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 7 is ha (ح), a breathy h from the throat.