fhel فحل
Algerian Darja · adjective
“fhel” (فحل) is an adjective in Algerian Darja meaning brave, manly, man of worth.
Meanings
- brave, manly, man of worth
- stud, breeding male (animal)
Usage
Fhel is a very common compliment for a man who shows courage, integrity or generosity: "rajel fhel" (a real man). It is often used alone as a comment to praise a gesture: "fhel!". In its literal sense, the word refers to the breeding male of a herd, such as a billy goat or a ram: "fhel el ma3za". The plural is fhoul. It applies almost exclusively to men. The register is informal and warm.
Example
خويا راجل فحل، ما يخليش واحد في الزنقة
khouya rajel fhel, ma ykhallich wahed fezenqa
“My brother is a man of worth, he never leaves anyone in a bind.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “fhel” but also “fhal”, “fahl” and “fhoul”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.