ra7 راح
Algerian Darja · verb
“ra7” (راح) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning he went, he left.
Meanings
- he went, he left
- will (future marker)
- to be lost, ruined
Usage
Ra7 is the perfective form of the verb "rouh" (to go, to leave). In the present, one says "yrouh", and the imperative is "rouh". The form is conjugated: "rou7t" (I went), "ra7et" (she left). Before another verb, "ra7" often serves as a near-future marker: "ra7 n3aweno" (I'm going to help him). In this case, it is invariable for many speakers. Figuratively, it means "to be lost" or "ruined": "ra7et l'blad" (the country is ruined). It should not be confused with "rah", the presentative of "rahou" (he is).
Example
راح للسوق مع باباه
ra7 l'souk m3a babah
“He went to the market with his father.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “ra7” but also “rah”, “rahh”, “ra7e” and “reh”. 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.