mehras مهراس
Algerian Darja · noun
“mehras” (مهراس) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning mortar (for pounding).
Meanings
- mortar (for pounding)
Usage
The mehras is the traditional mortar, made of wood or copper. It is used with a pestle to crush coffee, spices, garlic or grains. The object is found in many Algerian kitchens, even if it sometimes gives way to the electric grinder. The word remains common, with a familiar, domestic connotation. You say dagg fel mehras for "to pound in the mortar". In some regions, the word can also refer to a pounded preparation. The first meaning, however, remains the utensil.
Example
دقي الثوم في المهراس
doggi ethoum fel mehras
“Pound the garlic in the mortar.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “mehras” but also “mehrass”, “mahras”, “mehress” and “mahrass”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.