7allouf حلوف
Algerian Darja · noun
“7allouf” (حلوف) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning wild boar.
Meanings
- wild boar
- pig, hog
- insult: pig, filthy person
Usage
7allouf first means the wild boar, which is very common in Algeria's forests and countryside. By extension, it is also used for the pig in general. The plural is "7lalef". The word is also a common and hurtful insult, all the stronger because the pig is an unclean animal in Islam. Said to a person, it targets their filthiness, coarseness or impiety. An English speaker should therefore use it with caution: neutral when talking about hunting or ruined crops, it becomes very offensive as soon as it is aimed at someone.
Example
الحلالف خسرو القمح تاع الفلاحين
le7lalef khesrou lgem7 ta3 lfella7in
“The wild boars ruined the farmers' wheat.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “7allouf” but also “hallouf”, “hellouf”, “7alouf” and “halouf”. 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.
Type “7allouf” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “pig, pork animal”; “wild boar”: 7allouf in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “wild boar”; “pig, hog”: 7allouf in Tunisian.