char شر
Algerian Darja · noun
“char” (شر) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning evil, what is bad.
Meanings
- evil, what is bad
- misfortune, danger
Usage
Char means evil in general, anything that can cause harm. It is heard mostly in protective formulas and wishes: "rabbi ybe3ed 3lik char" (may God keep evil away from you), "rabbi yahfdek men kul char" (may God protect you from all evil). The register is everyday, often religious or affectionate. The word is also used for a bad person or a bad intention, for example "fih char" (there is malice in him). Do not confuse it with chra (to buy). The usual opposite is khir (good).
Example
ربي يبعد عليك الشر يا خويا.
Rabbi yeb3ed 3lik char ya khouya.
“May God keep evil away from you, my brother.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “char” but also “cher”, “chàr”, “charr” and “sharr”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “char” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “evil, wickedness”; “misfortune, trouble”: cherr in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “evil, wickedness”; “misfortune, trouble”: char in Tunisian.