weld familia ولد فاميليا
Algerian Darja · expression
“weld familia” (ولد فاميليا) is an expression in Algerian Darja meaning boy from a good family.
Meanings
- boy from a good family
- respectable, well-mannered man
Usage
Weld familia refers to a well-brought-up boy or man from a respectable family. It is a common compliment, especially when talking about a suitor or a neighbor. The feminine is bent familia. It is also used to vouch for someone: rah weld familia, "he's a good guy." Familia is an adapted loanword fully integrated into darja. Note: the expression does not mean "son of the family" in the sense of kinship, but good upbringing and respectability. The register is informal and warm.
Example
هو ولد فاميليا، يحشم بزاف.
houwa weld familia, yahcham bezzaf.
“He's a boy from a good family, he's very reserved.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “weld familia” but also “wald familya” and “ould familia”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.