hra9 حرق
Algerian Darja · verb
“hra9” (حرق) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning to burn, set on fire.
Meanings
- to burn, set on fire
- to emigrate illegally by sea
- to run (a red light), skip (a step)
Usage
Hra9 first means to burn, in the literal sense: to burn papers, to burn a dish, to burn one's hand ("tahre9t"). In Algeria, the verb has taken on a very widespread meaning: to leave clandestinely for Europe by sea, hence the word harraga for the migrants. The original idea is of burning one's papers or crossing the border without authorization. It is also used for "running" a red light or skipping a step. Context is enough to tell the senses apart; "hreg l'Espagne" leaves no doubt about the migration sense.
Example
حرق الكاغط تاعو كامل
hra9 el kaghet ta3ou kamel
“He burned all his papers.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “hra9” but also “hreg”, “hrag”, “7ra9” and “hr9”. 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; 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.
Type “hra9” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “to burn”; “to hurt emotionally”: 7req in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “to burn, set fire to”; “to emigrate illegally by sea”: 7ra9 in Tunisian.