f7la فحلة
Algerian Darja · adjective
“f7la” (فحلة) is an adjective in Algerian Darja meaning strong, brave woman.
Meanings
- strong, brave woman
- hardworking, resourceful woman
Usage
F7la is the feminine of fhal. The word describes a strong, brave, dignified and resourceful woman who takes on her responsibilities and supports her family. It is a strong compliment, tied to the values of nif (honour) and endurance. It is heard in "bent f7la", a girl of strong character, or "f7la bent f7la", a worthy daughter of her mother. It is used as an adjective ("hiya f7la") or as a noun ("wa7da f7la"). The word has no sexual connotation here: it should not be understood in the animal sense of "female."
Example
مرتو فحلة، تخدم وتربي ولادها
martou f7la, tekhdem w trebbi wladha
“His wife is a fighter, she works and raises her children.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “f7la” but also “fahla”, “fa7la”, “fehla” and “fhla”. 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.