machallah مشالله
Tunisian Derja · expression
“machallah” (مشالله) is an expression in Tunisian Derja meaning well done, how wonderful.
Meanings
- well done, how wonderful
- phrase warding off the evil eye
Usage
A religious formula in daily use, said to express admiration for a success, a beauty, a talent or a healthy child. It also has a protective function: complimenting without saying it can be seen as a source of the evil eye. It is often built with 3la: machallah 3lik (well done to you), machallah 3liha (how gifted she is). It is used in all registers, in speech as well as in online comments. Do not confuse it with inchallah, which expresses a wish for the future.
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “machallah” but also “mchallah”, “mashallah” and “mchalah”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.