wlidat وليدات
Algerian Darja · noun
“wlidat” (وليدات) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning little kids, youngsters.
Meanings
- little kids, youngsters
- young people, lads (affectionate)
Usage
Wlidat is the diminutive plural of weld ("boy, child"). It refers to small children, with a tender nuance. By extension, it is used affectionately for young people or fellow countrymen: wlidat bladi, "the young people of my country". Depending on context, it can also be ironic or condescending, meaning "kids" when talking about adults seen as immature. The diminutive singular is wlid. Do not confuse it with wled, the ordinary plural, which is neutral. It also does not mean "grandchildren" in the sense of descendants, which is said differently.
Example
الوليدات راهم يلعبو في الزنقة
el wlidat rahom yal3bou fi zen9a
“The kids are playing in the street.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “wlidat” but also “wlidet”, “oulidat” and “wlidaat”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.