mala مالا
Algerian Darja · conjunction
“mala” (مالا) is a conjunction in Algerian Darja meaning so, then.
Meanings
- so, then
- in that case
Usage
Mala, or imala, introduces a consequence or a conclusion drawn from what has just been said. It is equivalent to "so" or "then". It often comes at the start of a sentence, but also at the end to push things along or insist: « ayya mala ». It is very common in speech and in messages. Depending on intonation, it also expresses surprise or impatience: « mala ? », "so what?". Do not confuse it with mal, which means "money, goods".
Example
ماكاش الكار، مالا نروحو على رجلينا
makach el car, mala nrou7ou 3la rjlina
“There's no bus, so we'll go on foot.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “mala” but also “imala”, “emala”, “malla” and “mela”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “mala” on the Arabic keyboard
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “so, therefore”; “well then (sentence-initial)”: mela in Tunisian.