ma 3lih ما عليه
Tunisian Derja · expression
“ma 3lih” (ما عليه) is an expression in Tunisian Derja meaning it's not a big deal.
Meanings
- it's not a big deal
- fine, no problem
Usage
Ma 3lih is used to play down a mistake, to reassure, or to accept a situation without protest: "it's not a big deal", "never mind", "it's fine". It is very often heard in reply to an apology. The variant ma 3lich is also very widespread. Depending on intonation, the expression can also mark resigned agreement: "OK, fine by me". It belongs to a colloquial but neutral register, and suits all everyday situations. To encourage someone, it can be strengthened with ma 3lih, rabbi m3ak.
Example
سامحني، تأخرت. — ما عليه، توّة جيت
sam7ni, t2akhart. — ma 3lih, tawa jit
“Sorry, I'm late. — No problem, you're here now.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, it is written “ma 3lih”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
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 “ma 3lih” on the Arabic keyboard
In Algerian Darja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Algerian Darja, where it means “never mind, no problem”; “okay, no objection”: ma 3lih in Algerian.