jahel جاهل
Algerian Darja · adjective
“jahel” (جاهل) is an adjective in Algerian Darja meaning ignorant, uneducated.
Meanings
- ignorant, uneducated
- immature, thoughtless
Usage
Jahel describes a person who doesn't know or lacks education. It is also often used as a reproach, even a jab, in online arguments: rak jahel, you know nothing. The feminine is jahla and the plural jahlin or jouhhal. It can also describe someone immature or impulsive, especially a young person: mazal jahel, he is still young and thoughtless. The corresponding noun is jahl or jhel, ignorance. Said directly to someone, the word is hurtful, though not a vulgar insult.
Example
ماتلومهش، مازال جاهل ما يعرف والو.
matloumouch, mazal jahel ma y3ref walou.
“Don't blame him, he's still ignorant, he knows nothing.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “jahel” but also “jahil”, “djahel”, “jahl” and “jaahel”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “jahel” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “wild, aggressive (animal)”; “unruly, insolent (person)”: jahel in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “ignorant, uneducated”; “thoughtless, immature”: jehel in Tunisian.