harrag حراڨ
Algerian Darja · noun
“harrag” (حراڨ) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning illegal migrant (by sea).
Meanings
- illegal migrant (by sea)
- undocumented person abroad
Usage
Harrag comes from hreg ("to burn") and from hargā: one "burns" the border, and often one's identity papers. The word refers to a person who leaves Algeria illegally, most often by boat to Europe. By extension, it applies to someone living abroad without papers. The plural harraga has been adopted as is in the French-language press. The corresponding verb is hreg ("he left illegally"). The word is neutral but socially charged: it evokes despair, risk and exile. In blessings, you hear Allah yfarrej 3la el harraga.
Example
ولد الجيران حرڨ، راهو حراڨ في إسبانيا
wled jjiran 7reg, rahou 7arrag f espanya
“The neighbors' son left illegally, he is undocumented in Spain.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “harrag” but also “7arrag”, “7arag”, “harag” and “harraga”. 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.