red balek رد بالك
Algerian Darja · expression
“red balek” (رد بالك) is an expression in Algerian Darja meaning be careful, watch out.
Meanings
- be careful, watch out
- take care of
Usage
Red balek literally means "turn back your mind". It is the most common expression for warning someone. It can be used on its own (red balek!, "watch out!") or followed by a complement introduced by men: red balek men tonobil, "watch out for the car". Followed by 3la, it takes the sense of "look after": red balek 3la rouhek, "take care of yourself". In the plural, you say reddou balkoum. The tone can be kind or threatening depending on the context.
Example
رد بالك من الطريق
red balek men triq
“Be careful crossing the road.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “red balek” but also “rad balek”, “rd balek” and “rede baleke”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “red balek” on the Arabic keyboard
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “watch out, be careful”; “take care (of)”: rod belek in Tunisian.