khalla خلا

Algerian Darja · verb

“khalla” (خلا) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning to leave, to quit.

Meanings

1. to leave, to quit
2. to let, to allow
3. to leave behind (at death)

Usage

Khella (or khalla) is the ordinary verb for "to leave": leaving an object somewhere, leaving someone alone, leaving a trace after one's death. The imperative khalli ("leave") is very frequent: khallini, "leave me", khallih, "leave him". Followed by a verb, it means "to let" or "to allow": khallih yrouh, "let him go". It is also found in set phrases such as khalli bark, "forget it". Be careful not to confuse it with khla, "desert, empty place", or with the verb "to empty". The register is neutral and it is used everywhere.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “khalla” but also “khella”, “khela”, “khala”, “5alla” and “5ala”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Its Arabic spelling is not fixed either: you will find خلا and خلى, all the same word.

Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 5 is kha (خ), like the ch in Scottish loch.

Type “khalla” on the Arabic keyboard

In Moroccan Darija

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “to leave (somewhere)”; “to let, allow”: khlla in Moroccan.

In Tunisian Derja

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “deserted place, empty expanse”; “open countryside, outdoors”: 5lè in Tunisian.