1. Arabic:
* "District" or "Neighborhood": In many Arabic-speaking countries, "mahala" refers to a specific area or neighborhood within a larger city. It's similar to the English term "quarter" or "ward."
* "Possession" or "Property": In some contexts, it can mean something that belongs to someone, like a house or land.
2. Hindi/Urdu:
* "Free" or "Without cost": In this context, "mahala" often refers to something that is given or provided without any charge.
3. South Asian Languages:
* "Mahal": In some South Asian languages, it can be a variant spelling of "mahal," which means "palace" or "mansion."
4. Other Languages:
* "Mahala" might also be used in other languages, but its meaning would depend on the specific language and context.
To understand the specific meaning of "mahala," you need more information about the context, such as the language being used and the surrounding words or phrases.