ya7lam يحلم
Algerian Darja · verb
“ya7lam” (يحلم) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning to dream (while sleeping).
Meanings
- to dream (while sleeping)
- to dream of, to aspire to
Usage
Ya7lam (past: 7lem) is used both for dreams in sleep and for aspirations. The person or thing dreamed of is introduced by b-: "7lemt bik" ("I dreamed of you"), "ya7lam b dar" ("he dreams of having a house"). In the sense of aspiration, the verb can also be followed by another verb: "ya7lam yrou7 l'Europe". It is often used ironically about unattainable goals: "7lem !" means "keep dreaming". A dream is 7olm and, for sleep, often menam.
Example
البارح حلمت بيك.
lbare7 7lemt bik.
“Last night I dreamed about you.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “ya7lam” but also “yahlam”, “ye7lem” and “yahlem”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 7 is ha (ح), a breathy h from the throat.