goulou قولوا
Algerian Darja · verb
“goulou” (قولوا) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning say (plural imperative).
Meanings
- say (plural imperative)
- they said (written variant of goulou)
Usage
Goulou or qoulou is the plural imperative of the verb gal / qal, "to say". It is addressed to several people or, out of politeness, to an unspecified group. It is extremely frequent in online comments in the form goulou amine, "say amen", to invite others to join in a prayer. In the Algiers region and the East, it is often pronounced qoulou; elsewhere, goulou. Pitfall: the same spelling can also transcribe galou, "they said". Context distinguishes the command from the narrative. In the singular, one says goul or qoul.
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “goulou” but also “9oulou” and “qoulou”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.
Type “goulou” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “say (plural imperative)”; “tell him/her/them (plural)”: goulou in Moroccan.