7tafel حتافل
Moroccan Darija · verb
“7tafel” (حتافل) is a verb in Moroccan Darija meaning to celebrate.
Meanings
- to celebrate
Usage
The verb ḥtafel, imperfect yḥtafel, is constructed with b- for the object of the celebration: "ḥtaflna b n-najaḥ dyalu." Its register is somewhat formal. It is heard in the media, in speeches, and about official or religious holidays. In casual conversation, one rather says "dar l-ḥefla" or "ferḥu." The noun l-iḥtifal means a celebration or ceremony, and l-ḥefla a party. The verb is also used for a family event, such as a birthday, a diploma or a success.
Example
حتافلنا بالنجاح ديالو
7tafelna b nnaja7 dyalo
“We celebrated his success.”
Conjugation
Forms as recorded in DODa and reproduced in its spelling, which often leaves out short vowels.
| Imperfective (present) | Perfective (past) | Imperative | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ana (I) | kan7tafl | 7taflt | |
| nta (you, m.) | kat7tafl | 7taflti | 7tafl |
| nti (you, f.) | kat7tafli | 7taflti | 7tafli |
| howa (he) | kay7tafl | 7tafl | |
| hiya (she) | kat7tafl | 7taflat | |
| 7na (we) | kan7taflo | 7taflna | |
| ntouma (you, pl.) | kat7taflo | 7taflto | 7taflo |
| homa (they) | kay7taflo | 7taflo |
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “7tafel” but also “7tafl”, “7tafal”, “htafel” and “htafl”. 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.