Ways to say it
| Moroccan Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| كحل | khel | |
| كحلة | khela | feminine form |
كحل describes the colour of any object, as in السروال كحل, 'the trousers are black'.
What does it mean word for word?
كحل shares its root with كحل, the dark eyeliner known as kohl in English, since both describe the same dark colour.
Which one should you use?
There is one everyday word for 'black' in Darija, used the same way for clothes, hair, cars or any dark object.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
كحل is used at every level of speech, with no separate formal word for 'black'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word is the same across Morocco.
How does it change in a sentence?
كحل agrees in gender and number: كحلة (khela) feminine, كحلين (khlin) plural.
How do you pronounce it?
The kh is a rough sound from the back of the throat, and the word is short: KHEL.
When do people say it?
The English word 'kohl' for dark eyeliner comes directly from this Arabic word, a small, specific example of Arabic vocabulary entering English.
Did you know?
- English 'kohl', the dark cosmetic powder, is borrowed directly from this Arabic word for black.
- Traditional kohl eyeliner, الكحل, is still used in Morocco and across North Africa, named after the same colour word.
Examples in context
- السروال ديالو كحل.ssarwal dyalu khel.His trousers are black.
- شريت طوموبيل كحلة.sherit tomobil khela.I bought a black car.
- شعرها كحل بزاف.sha3rha khel bzzaf.Her hair is very black.
Example conversation
Two friends, Widad and Ilham, pick a colour for a new dress at a tailor.
- Widadبغيتي الفوسطان كحل ولا بيض؟bghiti lfustan khel wla byed?Do you want the dress black or white?
- Ilhamكحل أحسن، كيبان أنيق.khel ahsan, kayban aniq.Black is better, it looks elegant.
- Widadواخا، نقولو للخياط.wakha, nqulu l lkhayyat.Okay, let's tell the tailor.
- Ilhamمزيان، غادي يبان زوين.mzyan, ghadi yban zwin.Good, it will look nice.
