3lech علاش
Tunisian Derja · adverb
“3lech” (علاش) is an adverb in Tunisian Derja meaning why.
Meanings
- why
- for (having done), after 'regret'
- what for (reproach)
Usage
3lech is the usual question word for "why". It goes at the start of a question (3lech ma jitech ?, "why didn't you come?") or stands alone (w 3lech ?, "and why?"). It is also used in indirect questions: 9olli 3lech, "tell me why". After verbs such as nadem ("to regret"), it introduces the reason, which often translates as "for" or "for having": nadem 3lech 3melha, "he regrets having done it". The usual answer begins with 5ater ("because"). The word is neutral and used in all registers.
Example
يا محموصة قل لي علاش
ya ma7moussa 9olli 3lech
“O Mahmoussa, tell me why.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “3lech” but also “3lach”, “alech”, “3lesh” and “3lch”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Its Arabic spelling is not fixed either: you will find علاش and اعلاش, 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.
Type “3lech” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “why”; “on what, about what”: 3lach in Moroccan.
In Algerian Darja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Algerian Darja, where it means “why (question)”; “that's why, this is why”: 3lach in Algerian.