ya3mel يعمل
Algerian Darja · verb
“ya3mel” (يعمل) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning he does, he makes.
Meanings
- he does, he makes
- to put (a like, etc.)
Usage
Ya3mel is the "he" present form of the verb 3mel (to do). In Algeria, the most common verb for "to do" is ydir. Ya3mel is heard mainly in the East and in some urban speech. It is also very common in social media formulas, such as li yhab ya3mel like ("whoever likes it, put a like"). It takes its object directly. It can also mean "to prepare", for example ya3mel lqahwa ("he makes the coffee"). A learner can use it safely: it will be understood everywhere.
Example
شكون يعمل القهوة اليوم؟
chkoun ya3mel l9ahwa lyoum?
“Who's making the coffee today?”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “ya3mel” but also “ya3mal” and “ia3mel”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent.