7ram حرام
Algerian Darja · adjective
“7ram” (حرام) is an adjective in Algerian Darja meaning forbidden by religion, unlawful.
Meanings
- forbidden by religion, unlawful
- what a pity, it's unfair
- that's wrong, it's not done
Usage
7ram literally describes what religion forbids: "had echi 7ram". It is the opposite of 7lal. In conversation, it is very often an exclamation lamenting a situation, meaning "what a pity" or "it's not fair": "7ram, video kima hadi ma techhrach", what a pity, a video like that doesn't get noticed. It is also used to reproach behavior: "7ram 3lik", have you no shame, that's not right of you. The pitfall is always translating it as "sin" when the meaning is often just "pity".
Example
حرام عليك، خليه يرتاح
7ram 3lik, khalih yertah
“That's not right of you, let him rest.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “7ram” but also “haram”, “hram”, “7aram” and “hrame”. 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 “7ram” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “forbidden by religion, haram”; “unfair, what a shame”: 7ram in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “forbidden by religion, unlawful”; “a shame, unfair”: 7ram in Tunisian.