sellem سلم
Algerian Darja · verb
“sellem” (سلم) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning to greet someone.
Meanings
- to greet someone
- to hand over, deliver
- to surrender, give up
Usage
Sellem is a common verb. It is built with 3la for "to greet": "sellem 3la jedda" (say hello to your grandmother). The phrase "sellemli 3lih" means "give him my regards". The verb also means "to hand over, deliver" something to someone: an object, money, a piece of work. With rouhou or rassou, it takes the meaning "to surrender" or "to give up". In the religious formula "salla Allah 3lih wa sellem", it is the classical form that is used. Do not confuse with "sellek", which means "to manage, to get by".
Example
سلّملي على يمّاك كي تروح للدار.
sellemli 3la yemmak ki trouh l dar.
“Give my regards to your mother when you get home.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “sellem” but also “sallem”, “slem” and “sellam”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “sellem” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “to greet, pass on regards”; “to hand over, deliver”: sellem in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “to greet, say hello”; “to hand over, deliver”: sallem in Tunisian.