9allel قلل

Tunisian Derja · verb

“9allel” (قلل) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to reduce, to diminish.

Meanings

1. to reduce, to diminish
2. to belittle, disrespect

Usage

9allel is a transitive verb (imperfective: y9allel) meaning to reduce a quantity: "9allel mel melh" (put in less salt), "9allel mel cigarou" (smoke less). The proverb "9allel nesek yertah rasek" advises seeing fewer people to keep your mind at peace. Used with a person, especially in "9allel men 9imtou" or "9allel 3lih el 7ya", it takes on the meaning of disrespecting or putting someone down. The expression "9allel 7yaa" describes someone who is shameless. The word is common and belongs to the neutral register.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “9allel” but also “qallel”, “9alel”, “kallel” and “9allal”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.

Type “9allel” on the Arabic keyboard

In Moroccan Darija

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “reduce, cut down”; “minus (telling time)”: 9ellel in Moroccan.