methal مثال
Algerian Darja · noun
“methal” (مثال) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning example, illustrative case.
Meanings
- example, illustrative case
- role model
Usage
Methal refers to an example given to explain something. Common phrases are "3tini methal" (give me an example) and "ndirlek methal" (I'll give you an example). It can also refer to an exemplary person: "methal l chabab" (a role model for young people). The word is somewhat formal in tone and appears a lot in writing, for example in comments. In speech, many speakers prefer "par exemple", borrowed from French, or "mathalan". An English speaker can use methal without risk, but in relaxed conversation "par exemple" will often sound more natural.
Example
اعطيني مثال باش نفهم
3tini methal bach nefhem
“Give me an example so I can understand.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “methal” but also “mithal”, “mital”, “mtal” and “methel”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “methal” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “example”; “proverb, saying”: mital in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “example, illustrative case”; “model to follow”: mithel in Tunisian.