bel3a9el بالعقل
Algerian Darja · expression
“bel3a9el” (بالعقل) is an expression in Algerian Darja meaning slowly, calmly.
Meanings
- slowly, calmly
- in moderation, without excess
- little by little, gradually
Usage
Bel3a9el literally means "with reason". It is used to tell someone to calm down, slow down or act with caution: "bel3a9el 3lih" (go easy on him). It also expresses moderation ("koul bel3a9el", eat in moderation) or slow progress. It is close to "bessyassa" and "b3a9lek". The register is informal and very common. Pitfall: it has nothing to do with intelligence. The meaning is gentleness and restraint.
Example
سوق بالعقل، الطريق مزلقة
sou9 bel3a9el, triq mzal9a
“Drive carefully, the road is slippery.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “bel3a9el” but also “bl3a9l”, “bel3akl” and “bel3qel”. 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; 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.