mlak ملاك
Moroccan Darija · noun
“mlak” (ملاك) is a noun in Moroccan Darija meaning engagement, betrothal.
Meanings
- engagement, betrothal
- angel
Usage
In Morocco, lmlak refers above all to the engagement, that is, the ceremony in which the two families make the union official before the wedding. One says "nhar lmlak" (the day of the engagement). It is related to the verb tmlek (to get engaged) and the adjective mmlouk (engaged). Pronounced malak, the same written word means "angel", notably in religious or affectionate contexts: "bhal chi malak" (like an angel). Context and pronunciation make it possible to tell the two meanings apart. The plural of "angel" is mala2ika. Malak is also a female given name.
Example
الملاك ديال ختي نهار السبت
lmlak dyal khti nhar ssebt
“My sister's engagement is on Saturday.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “mlak” but also “mlaak” and “malak”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.