hadak هداك
Algerian Darja · pronoun
“hadak” (هداك) is a pronoun in Algerian Darja meaning that one (masculine).
Meanings
- that one (masculine)
- whatchamacallit (filler word)
Usage
Hadak is the masculine demonstrative for something farther away: hadak r-rajel (that man). The feminine is hadik and the plural is hadouk. It is used alone or before a definite noun, often followed by tta3 to specify: hadak tta3 n-nsa (the one belonging to the women). In speech, hadak (or hadak l…) also serves as a filler word when searching for a term, like "whatchamacallit" or "thingy" in English. It contrasts with hada (this one, nearby). Depending on intonation, it can carry a hint of contempt: hadak ma yefhem walou.
Example
شكون هداك الراجل لي واقف تما؟
chkoun hadak er-rajel li wagef temma ?
“Who is that man standing over there?”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “hadak” but also “hadek”, “hedak”, “hadaak”, “hadhak” and “hadac”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Its Arabic spelling is not fixed either: you will find هداك and هاداك, all the same word.
Type “hadak” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
The same word also exists in Moroccan Darija, written هاداك, where it means “that one, that”; “that (before a noun)”: hadak in Moroccan.