nas mla7 ناس ملاح
Algerian Darja · expression
“nas mla7” (ناس ملاح) is an expression in Algerian Darja meaning good, honest people.
Meanings
- good, honest people
- a good person
Usage
Nas mla7 combines nas ("people") and mla7, plural of mli7 ("good"). The expression describes honest, respectable people from a good family. It also serves as a set phrase of praise for a single person or a family: houma nas mla7, "they are good people". The form does not change with gender or number. It is often heard when recommending someone, or when talking about an upcoming marriage or about neighbours. It is a sincere compliment, in a familiar to neutral register.
Example
الجيران تاعنا ناس ملاح بزاف
el jiran ta3na nas mla7 bezzaf
“Our neighbours are very good people.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “nas mla7” but also “nass mla7”, “nas mlah” and “nes mla7”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 7 is ha (ح), a breathy h from the throat.