bel7a9 بالحق
Tunisian Derja · expression
“bel7a9” (بالحق) is an expression in Tunisian Derja meaning by the way, speaking of which.
Meanings
- by the way, speaking of which
- really? is that true?
- truly, seriously
Usage
Bel7a9 is mainly used to introduce a piece of information that suddenly comes to mind, often at the start of a sentence, like "by the way" or "speaking of which". It is often heard after an interjection, for example "ouf, bel7a9…". Used alone with a rising intonation, it expresses surprise or doubt: "really?". It can also stress the sincerity of what one is saying. The register is informal and spoken, but the word is neutral and can be used with anyone. It can be confused with "el7a9", "the truth, the right", from which it derives in meaning.
Example
بالحق، شفت أحمد اليوم؟
bel7a9, chefet a7med lyoum?
“By the way, did you see Ahmed today?”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “bel7a9” but also “bil7a9”, “bl7a9” and “bel7ak”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 7 is ha (ح), a breathy h from the throat; 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.