3a9el عاقل
Tunisian Derja · adjective
“3a9el” (عاقل) is an adjective in Tunisian Derja meaning well-behaved, calm (child).
Meanings
- well-behaved, calm (child)
- sensible, level-headed, mature
Usage
For a child, 3a9el means "well-behaved, not getting into mischief": kounn 3a9el (be good). For an adult, the word describes a level-headed, thoughtful person who doesn't lose their temper. It agrees in gender and number: 3a9la in the feminine, 3a9lin in the plural. It is also used as a form of address, ya 3a9el, to speak respectfully to a mature person or to ask someone to be reasonable. The word contains the letter qaf, which explains the spellings 9, k and q depending on who is writing.
Example
ولدك عاقل برشا.
weldek 3a9el barcha.
“Your son is very well-behaved.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “3a9el” but also “3akel”, “3aqel”, “aakel” and “3a9l”. 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; 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.