Speak Tounsi

🇹🇳 SPEAK TOUNSI | Tunisia News

🎉 مَبْرُوكْ لِتُونِسْ! / Mabrouk l'Tounes!
Congratulations, Tunisia!

🌍 سِيدِي بُوسْعِيدْ وَلَّاتْ رَسْمِيًّا ضِمْنْ التُّرَاثْ العَالَمِي لِلْيُونِسْكُو.
Sidi Bou S3id wallet rasmiyyan ḍimn et-tourath el-3alami lel-YUNESCO.

Sidi Bou Said has officially been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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✨ حَاجَة تْفَرَّحْ! / 7aja tfarra7!
What wonderful news!

❤️ يِسْتَحَقّْ! / Yest7a9!
It truly deserves it!

🇹🇳 هَاذِي حَاجَة تْشَرَّفْ تُونِسْ. / Hedhi 7aja tcharref Tounes.
This is something that makes Tunisia proud / brings honor to Tunisia.

💬 شْنُوَّة أَكْثَرْ حَاجَة تَعْجْبِكْ فِي سِيدِي بُوسْعِيدْ؟
Shnowwa akthar 7aja ta3jbek fi Sidi Bou S3id?
What do you like most about Sidi Bou Said?
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🇹🇳 SPEAK TOUNSI | At Home (Everyday Expressions)

Whether you're visiting a Tunisian family or welcoming guests into your own home, these are some of the most common expressions you'll hear every day. 🏡👇
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🏠 Welcome home.
مَرْحْبَا بِيكْ فِي الدَّارْ
Mar7ba bik fed-dar.

🚪 Please come in.
تْفَضَّلْ اُدْخُلْ
Tfaḍḍel od5ol.

😊 Make yourself comfortable.
خُوذْ رَاحْتِكْ
5oudh ra7tek.

🪑 Please sit down.
تْفَضَّلْ اُقْعُدْ
Tfaḍḍel o93od.

🏡 This is my house.
هَذِي دَارِي
Hedhi dari.

👨‍👩‍👧 Our house is small.
دَارْنَا صْغِيرَة
Darna sghira.

🛋️ The living room is over there.
بِيْتْ القْعَادْ غَادِيكَا
Bit el-93ad ghadika.

🚪 Please close the door.
عَيِّشِكْ سَكَّرْ البَابْ
3ayyshek sakkar el-bab.

🪟 Please open the window.
عَيِّشِكْ حِلْ الشُّبَّاكْ
3ayyshek 7ell esh-shubbek.

❤️ Feel at home.
الدَّارْ دَارِكْ
Ed-dar darek.
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💡 Speak Tounsi Tip

The word عَيِّشِكْ (3ayyeshik) is one of the most useful expressions in Tunisian Darija. It literally means "May God keep you alive," but in everyday speech it's commonly used to politely ask someone to do something—very much like "please" in English.

🏡 Which expression will you use first? Write it in the comments and practice your Tunisian Darija with us!

TN SPEAK TOUNSI | Everyday Expressions
Want to sound more natural in Tunisian Darija?
Here are 10 expressions that Tunisians use every single day! 👇
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🌙 It’s time to sleep. وْقَيِّتْ نُومْ
👉 W9ayyet noum.

🌙 Good night. تَصْبَحْ عَلَى خِيرْ
👉 Teṣba7 3la 5ir.

😴 Sleep well. لِيلْتِكْ زِينَة
👉 Liltek zina.

⏰ Wake up. فِيقْ
👉 Fi9.

🌅 It’s time to wake up. وْقَيِّتْ بَاشْ تْفِيقْ
👉 W9ayyet bash tfi9.

☀️ Good morning. صْبَاحْ الْخِيرْ
👉 Ṣba7 el-5ir.

😊 Have a nice day. نْهَارِكْ مَبْرُوكْ
👉 Nharek mabrouk.

👋 See you later. نِتْقَابْلُوا مْبَعْدْ
👉 Net9ablou mba3d.

❤️ Take care. اسْتَحْفِظْ عَلَى رُوحِكْ
👉 Esta7feḍ 3la rou7ik.

📅 See you tomorrow. نْشُوفِكْ غُدْوَة
👉 Nshoufek ghodwa.
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💡 Speak Tounsi Tip:

The expression وْقَيِّتْ (W9ayyet) means “It’s time to…” and is extremely common in everyday Tunisian speech.

Example:
🍽️وْقَيِّتْ الْعْشَاء → It’s dinner time.
📚وْقَيِّتْ الْقْرَايَة → It’s time to study.
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👉 Which one do you think you’ll use the most? Write it in the comments and try making your own sentence! 🇹🇳

🇹🇳 SPEAK TOUNSI | البَرَّا / الخَارِجْ
L'BARRA vs. EL 5AREJ

Many learners confuse these two expressions because they are both translated as "outside" in English.

But in Tunisian Derja, they have completely different meanings! 👇
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🚪 1. البرّا (L'barra)
Meaning: Outside / Outdoors

Use البرّا when you're talking about the physical space outside a room, a house, or a building.

✅ Examples

🗣️ اِمْشِي اَلْعَبْ البَرَّا
Emchi el3eb l'barra.
➡️ Go play outside.

🗣️ الطَّقْسْ سْخُونْ البَرَّا
Eṭ-ṭa9s s5oun l'barra.
➡️ The weather is hot outside.
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✈️ 2. الخَارِج (El 5arej)
Meaning: Abroad / Overseas

Use الخارج only when talking about another country.

✅ Examples

🗣️ عَايِشْ فِي الخَارِج
3ayech fil 5arej.
➡️ He lives abroad.

🗣️ بَاشْ نْسَافِرْ لِلْخَارِج
Bash nsafer lel 5arej.
➡️ I'm going to travel abroad.
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💡 Speak Tounsi Tip

🚪 Can you simply open a door and go there?

➡️ Use البرّا (L'barra).
✈️ Do you need a passport and a plane ticket?
➡️ Use الخارج (El 5arej).

Learning these small differences will make your Tunisian Derja sound much more natural! 🇹🇳

🇹🇳 SPEAK TOUNSI | Everyday Tunisian Expressions
Want to sound more natural in Tunisian Derja?
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Here are 5 expressions you'll hear in everyday conversations! 👇

💬 1. I didn't notice that before.
👉مَا شْلَقْتِشْ بِالْحْكَايَة هَاذِي قَبْل / Ma shla9tesh bel-7keya hethi 9bal.

💬 2. I totally forgot about that.
👉نْسِيتْهَا جِمْلَة الْحْكَايَة / Nsitha jemla el-7keya.

💬 3. That reminds me of something.
👉 فَكَّرْتْنِي فِي حَاجَة / Fakkartni fi 7aja.

💬 4. I'm not comfortable with that idea.
👉مُوشْ دَاخْلَة مُخِّي / Mush da5la mo55i.

💬 5. It doesn't bother me.
👉مَا يْقَلَّقْنِيشْ / Ma y9alla9nish.
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💬 Which one would you use today? 🇹🇳

Write your favorite expression in the comments and try using it in your own sentence! 👇

🇹🇳 QUIZZ OF THE DAY
Can you guess the meaning of this authentic Tunisian expression? 🤔

🗣️ يْطَوِّلْ فِي لْسَانُو ** Yṭawwel fī lsānou

What does it mean?
A- He lies
B- He insults people
C- He gets disrespectful / talks back
D- He tastes food

💬 Write your answer (A, B, C or D) in the comments before checking what others chose!

🎯 Every quiz helps you sound more like a real Tunisian and discover everyday expressions you'll actually hear in Tunisia.

🇹🇳 Speak Tounsi – Learn Tunisian Derja, one expression at a time.

🇹🇳 SPEAK TOUNSI — EVERYDAY PHRASES
🗣️ 14 Essential Tunisian Expressions (Tunis Dialect)
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1️⃣ شْصَارْ؟
🗣️ Pronunciation: Chsar?
🇬🇧 Meaning:
What happened? • What's going on?
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2️⃣ شْكُونْ قَالِّكْ هَاذَا؟
🗣️ Pronunciation: Chkoun gallek hetha?
🇬🇧 Meaning:
Who told you this?
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3️⃣ وِينْ مَاشِينْ؟
🗣️ Pronunciation: Win machin?
🇬🇧 Meaning:
Where are we going?
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4️⃣ عْلَاشْ تَضْحَكْ؟
🗣️ Pronunciation: 3lech taD7ak?
🇬🇧 Meaning:
Why are you laughing?
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5️⃣ كِيفَاشْ يِخْدِمْ هَاذَا؟
🗣️ Pronunciation: Kifech yi5dem hetha?
🇬🇧 Meaning:
How does this work?
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6️⃣ كُلْ شَيْ لَابَاسْ؟
🗣️ Pronunciation: Kol chay lebes?
🇬🇧 Meaning:
Is everything okay?
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7️⃣ تْنَجِّمْ تْعَاوِنِّي؟
🗣️ Pronunciation: Tnajjem t3awenni?
🇬🇧 Meaning:
Can you help me?
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8️⃣ مْتَاعْ شْكُونْ الصَّاكْ هَاذَا؟
🗣️ Pronunciation: Mta3 chkoun eṣ-ṣak hetha?
🇬🇧 Meaning:
Whose bag is this?
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9️⃣ فْهِمْتْ؟
🗣️ Pronunciation: Fhemt?
🇬🇧 Meaning:
Did you understand?
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🔟 شْتُقْصُدْ؟
🗣️ Pronunciation: Chto9sod?
🇬🇧 Meaning:
What do you mean?
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1️⃣1️⃣ شَرَّفْتْنِي.
🗣️ Pronunciation: Charraftni.
🇬🇧 Meaning:
I'm proud of you.
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1️⃣2️⃣ يُوجَعْ بَرْشَة.
🗣️ Pronunciation: Youja3 barsha.
🇬🇧 Meaning:
It hurts a lot.
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1️⃣3️⃣ وَسَّعْ بَالَكْ.
🗣️ Pronunciation: Wassa3 balek.
🇬🇧 Meaning:
Calm down.
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1️⃣4️⃣ حَتَّى حَدْ مَا يَعْرَفْ.
🗣️ Pronunciation: 7atta 7ad ma ya3ref.
🇬🇧 Meaning:
Nobody knows.
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💡 Native Speaker Tip

These are among the most useful expressions you'll hear every day in Tunis. Master them, and you'll instantly sound more natural in everyday conversations.

🇹🇳 Speak Tounsi, Speak Like a Local.

🇹🇳 SPEAK TOUNSI — IDIOM OF THE DAY

👁️ يِرْخِي فِيكْ العِينْ
🗣️ Pronunciation: Yerkhi fīk el-3īn

🇬🇧 Meaning:
👉To look down on someone.
👉To treat someone with contempt.
👉To give someone the cold shoulder.
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🧐 What does it mean?

This common Tunisian expression describes someone who looks down on you, treats you as if you don't matter, or gives you a cold, dismissive attitude.

It is often used when someone:
• 😒 Looks down on you.
• 🥶 Gives you a cold welcome.
• 🙄 Ignores you on purpose.
• 👑 Acts as if they're better than you.
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💬 Tunisian Proverb

إِلِّي يْوِدَّكْ بِحَفْنَة، وِدُّو بْوِيبَةْ... وِالِّي يِرْخِي فِيكْ العِينْ، اجْبِدْ عَلِيهْ وْتَعَدَّى.

🗣️ Pronunciation:
Elli yweddek b 7afna, weddu b wība... welli yerkhi fīk el-3īn, ejbed 3lih w t3adda.

🇬🇧 Meaning:
Whoever gives you even a little, repay them generously. But whoever looks down on you, walk away and move on.
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📖 Cultural Note

This proverb reflects an important Tunisian value: appreciate kindness with generosity, but never chase the respect of someone who despises you. Respect should be mutual.
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💡 Native Speaker Tip

يرخي فيك العين is heard all over Tunisia. It doesn't refer to the eyes literally—it describes a person's attitude of contempt, indifference, or disrespect.
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❤️ Have you ever heard this proverb before?

🇹🇳 Learn authentic Tunisian Derja through Tunisia's language, culture, and everyday wisdom.

🇹🇳 SPEAK TOUNSI — PLAT OF THE DAY

🍲 كُسْكْسِي رَأْسْ العَامْ بِالقَدِّيدْ
Kosksi Ras el-3am b-el-9addid

🇬🇧 What is it?
Kosksi Ras el-3am is a traditional Tunisian couscous prepared to celebrate the Islamic New Year (Ras el-3am el-Hejri).

It is one of Tunisia's most symbolic festive dishes, combining savory and sweet flavors in a single plate.

The couscous is steamed and served with 9addid (traditional sun-dried cured meat) and fresh green fava beans, then decorated with raisins, hard-boiled eggs, and colorful traditional candies (الحَلْوَى).

For Tunisians, this unique combination symbolizes baraka (blessings), prosperity, and the hope for a sweet new year.
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🥘 Essential Vocabulary

🥩 قَدِّيدْ (9addid)
Traditional Tunisian sun-dried cured meat.

🫘 الفُولْ (el-Fool)
Fresh green fava beans.

🍇 الزِّبِيبْ (ez-Zbeeb)
Raisins.

🥚 العْظَمْ (el-3dham)
Hard-boiled eggs.

🍬 الحَلْوَى (el-7alwa)
Traditional candies.

🌙 رَأْسْ العَامْ (Ras el-3am)
The Islamic New Year.
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💬 Festive Expressions

عَامْكُمْ مَبْرُوكْ، كُلْ عَامْ وَانْتُومَا بِخِيرْ
🗣️ 3amkom mabrook, kol 3am w entouma b-5ir.
🇬🇧 Have a blessed year! Wishing you health and happiness every year!

الْيُومْ كِسْكْسِي رَأْسْ العَامْ بِالقَدِّيدْ
🗣️ El-youm kosksi ras el-3am b-el-9addid.
🇬🇧 Today we're making the New Year's couscous with 9addid.

رِيحِةْ القَدِّيدْ فَايْحَة فِي الدَّارْ
🗣️ Ri7et el-9addid fāy7a fi ed-dār.
🇬🇧 The aroma of the 9addid fills the house.
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📖 Did you know?

9addid is traditionally prepared months before the Islamic New Year by curing meat with salt, garlic, and spices, then drying it in the sun.

The sweet toppings—raisins and الحَلْوَى—symbolize the wish for a sweet, joyful, and prosperous year, while 9addid represents abundance, preservation, and family traditions passed down through generations.

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💡 Native Speaker Tip

For many Tunisian families, "Kosksi Ras el-3am b-el-9addid" is more than a meal—it's a cherished tradition that brings the whole family together to welcome the new Hijri year.
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❤️ Do you eat this couscous every Islamic New Year?
Tell us what your family adds to it! 👇

🇹🇳 Learn authentic Tunisian Derja through Tunisia's language, history, and culinary traditions.

🇹🇳 SPEAK TOUNSI — WORD OF THE DAY

📍 تَرْكِينَة
🗣️ Pronunciation: Tarkīna

🇬🇧 Meaning:
Corner • Nook • Quiet corner
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🧐 What does it mean?

In Tunisian Derja, تَرْكِينَة means a corner—the corner of a room, a street, or any place.

It can also refer to a quiet spot, a hidden corner, or an out-of-the-way place.
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💬 Everyday Examples

اِيجَا نُقْعْدُوا فِي تَرْكِينَة رَايْضَة.
Ijā no93dou fi tarkīna rāyḍa.
🇬🇧 Let's sit in a quiet corner.

لَوِّجْ مْلِيحْ فِي التْرَاكِنْ.
Lawwej mlīḥ fi t-trāken.
🇬🇧 Look carefully in every corner.

الحَانُوتْ مِتَّرْكِنْ فِي آخِرْ الشَّارِعْ.
El 7ānout metterken fi ākher ech-chāre3.
🇬🇧 The shop is tucked away at the end of the street.

تَرْكِينَة مِزْيَانَة مِنْ تْرَاكِنْ البْلَادْ.
Tarkīna mizyāna men trāken el-blēd.
🇬🇧 A beautiful hidden corner of the country.
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📖 Did you know?

Many linguists believe تركينة entered Tunisian Derja through contact with the Ottoman Turks, while others suggest an Italian origin. Like many Tunisian words, its exact etymology is still debated, but it has been part of everyday Tunisian speech for generations.

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💡 Native Speaker Tip

In everyday conversation, Tunisians almost always say تركينة instead of the Modern Standard Arabic word زاوية.
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🇹🇳 Learn authentic Tunisian Derja through Tunisia's language, history, and culture.