3ala9a علاقة

Tunisian Derja · noun

“3ala9a” (علاقة) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning connection, link.

Meanings

1. connection, link
2. relationship between people
3. romantic relationship

Usage

3ala9a refers to a link between people or between things. The most common expression is negative: ma 3andou 7atta 3ala9a, "it has nothing to do with it" or "he has nothing to do with it". One also says chnouwa l3ala9a ?, "what's the connection?". Used alone about two people, the word often suggests a romantic relationship: 3andhom 3ala9a, "they are together". For the network of useful contacts, the plural 3ala9at is used; one also says m3arif. The register is neutral.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “3ala9a” but also “3la9a”, “alaka”, “3alaqa”, “3laqa” and “3ela9a”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Its Arabic spelling is not fixed either: you will find علاقة and علاقه, all the same word.

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.

Type “3ala9a” on the Arabic keyboard

In Moroccan Darija

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “relationship, bond between people”; “relation, connection between things”: 3ala9a in Moroccan.

In Algerian Darja

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Algerian Darja, where it means “relationship, connection”; “romantic relationship”: 3la9a in Algerian.

How to say “relationship” in Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian