makhlouk مخلوق
Tunisian Derja · noun
“makhlouk” (مخلوق) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning creature, living being.
Meanings
- creature, living being
- person, anyone
Usage
Makhlou9 literally means "created", hence "creature, being". In derja it is often used to refer to a person, sometimes with emphasis. Ma famma 7atta makhlou9 means "there is absolutely no one". Akther makhlou9 means "the person who… most of all". It is also found in admiring or ironic expressions, such as makhlou9 malaïki, "an angel". The plural makhlou9at refers to creatures in general. The register is everyday. In the sense of "person", the word is used mainly in negative or superlative sentences.
Example
ما ثماش حتى مخلوق فالشارع
ma thamech 7atta makhlou9 fel chera3
“There wasn't a soul in the street.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “makhlouk” but also “makhlou9”, “ma5lou9” and “makhlouq”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 5 is kha (خ), like the ch in Scottish loch; 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.