hajjel هجال
Tunisian Derja · adjective
“hajjel” (هجال) is an adjective in Tunisian Derja meaning divorced, separated from his wife.
Meanings
- divorced, separated from his wife
- widower, without a wife
Usage
Hajjel refers to a man who has been married and no longer is, most often divorced, sometimes widowed. The feminine hajjala is far more common than the masculine. It is used for a divorced woman, or more broadly for a woman living without a husband. The word contrasts with 3azeb, "a bachelor who has never married", especially when inquiring about someone's status with a marriage in mind. It is informal. Depending on tone, it can carry a nuance of social judgment, especially in the feminine. Best used with tact.
Example
خوها هجّال، طلّق من عامين
khouha hajjel, tallag men 3amin
“Her brother is divorced, he split up two years ago.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “hajjel” but also “hajel”, “hajjal” and “hjel”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.