ki chghol كي شغل
Algerian Darja · expression
“ki chghol” (كي شغل) is an expression in Algerian Darja meaning as if, it seems that.
Meanings
- as if, it seems that
- like, kind of
Usage
Ki chghol is used to make a comparison or introduce an impression. Depending on context it is translated as "like", "as if" or "kind of". It is very informal and very common in speech, especially in the Algiers region: "dar ki chghol ma chafnich" (he acted as if he hadn't seen me). It can also be used to soften a statement, like the "kind of" or "like" of young English speakers. It is often followed directly by a clause, without a conjunction. Its more neutral equivalent is kima, or ki ma, for a simple comparison.
Example
دار كي شغل ما سمعنيش
dar ki chghol ma sme3nich
“He acted as if he hadn't heard me.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “ki chghol” but also “ki cheghol”, “ki chghel” and “ki shghol”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.