khlou9 خلوق
Tunisian Derja · adjective
“khlou9” (خلوق) is an adjective in Tunisian Derja meaning well-mannered, of good character.
Meanings
- well-mannered, of good character
- polite, respectful
Usage
Khlouq describes a well-mannered, respectful person of good character. It is a frequent compliment, especially in comments about artists or public figures: insen khlouq, "a good person". The register is fairly refined, but the word is common in speech. It is often used alongside other moral qualities, such as mrabbi, "well brought up", or mtwadha3, "modest". The word targets behavior and integrity, not surface politeness.
Example
ولد خالتي إنسان خلوق، ما يأذي حد.
weld khalti insen khlouq, ma ye2dhi 7add.
“My cousin is a good person, he doesn't harm anyone.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “khlou9” but also “khlouq”, “khlouk” and “khalouq”. 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.