khret خرط
Algerian Darja · verb
“khret” (خرط) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning to lie, make up stories.
Meanings
- to lie, make up stories
- to talk nonsense, spin a line
Usage
Khret means to say false or implausible things, to embellish, to spin a line. The word is used mainly in the Center. The register is colloquial and often mocking rather than accusatory: one makes fun of the person who exaggerates. The related noun khorti means "tall tales, lies", and khrrat refers to the liar or smooth talker. People also say "khret bel français" of someone who speaks approximate French with confidence. An English speaker should not confuse it with a serious lie: the meaning is closer to "talking baloney".
Example
ما تتيقش بيه، راهو يخرط.
ma tti9ech bih, rah ykhret.
“Don't believe him, he's talking nonsense.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “khret” but also “khra6”, “5ret” and “khrat”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 5 is kha (خ), like the ch in Scottish loch; 6 is emphatic ta (ط).