ma 3lih ما عليه
Algerian Darja · expression
“ma 3lih” (ما عليه) is an expression in Algerian Darja meaning never mind, no problem.
Meanings
- never mind, no problem
- okay, no objection
Usage
Very frequent formula for downplaying an incident or consoling someone, like "it's not a big deal" or "too bad". It is also used to give agreement: "ma 3lih, roh", "okay, go ahead". The variants "ma 3lich" and "ma 3lihch" are common and equivalent. It is often combined with "nchallah" or "rabbi ysahhel" to reassure someone. The register is neutral, and it is used with family as well as with strangers. Said in a curt tone, however, it can express irritated resignation, close to "fine, forget it".
Example
ضيعت الكاس؟ ما عليه، نشريو واحد آخر
dayya3t el kas? ma 3lih, nechriw wahed akhor
“You lost the glass? Never mind, we'll buy another one.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, it is written “ma 3lih”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent.
Type “ma 3lih” on the Arabic keyboard
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “it's not a big deal”; “fine, no problem”: ma 3lih in Tunisian.