asslan اصلا
Algerian Darja · adverb
“asslan” (اصلا) is an adverb in Algerian Darja meaning anyway, in the first place.
Meanings
- anyway, in the first place
- (with negation) not even, not at all
- originally
Usage
Asslan is mainly used to reinforce a statement, far more than to mean "originally". It corresponds to "anyway", "in the first place" or "already": asslan ma kanch yfahem, "he didn't understand anyway". With a negation, it means "not even" or "not at all": ma n3arfouch asslan, "I don't even know him". The literal meaning, "originally", is rarer and rather formal. The word is very frequent in speech and in online comments, often to contradict someone or brush aside an argument. It can come at the start or at the end of a sentence.
Example
ما نعرفوش أصلا هاد الراجل
ma n3arfouch asslan had er-rajel
“I don't even know this man.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “asslan” but also “aslan” and “assalan”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “asslan” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “anyway, in any case, to begin with”; “at all (with negation)”: aslan in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “basically, anyway”; “even, at all (in questions)”: aslan in Tunisian.