Adjectives

36 phrases · Tunisian Arabic with romanization, English and audio

  1. كبير

    kbīr

    Big

    Usage

    For the size of things or houses; for a person it can also mean older.

    Grammar Note

    With a feminine noun it becomes "kbīra".

  2. صغير

    ṣghīr

    Small

    Usage

    For small things; said of a child it can mean cute.

    Grammar Note

    With a feminine noun it becomes "ṣghīra".

  3. ثقيل

    thqīl

    Heavy

    Usage

    For the weight of luggage.

    Grammar Note

    The "th" is a real [θ].

  4. خفيف

    khfīf

    Light (weight)

    Usage

    For how light a bag is.

    Grammar Note

    Used for weight, and also for things like thin hair.

  5. غالي

    ghāli

    Expensive

    Usage

    For a high price; also an opener for haggling.

    Grammar Note

    With a feminine noun it becomes "ghālya".

  6. رخيص

    rkhīṣ

    Cheap

    Usage

    For a low price. Said of a person it is an insult, so use it for prices only.

    Grammar Note

    With a feminine noun it becomes "rkhīṣa".

  7. سخون

    skhūn

    Hot

    Usage

    For hot drinks and food; do not say it of a person.

    Grammar Note

    Standard Arabic "sākhin" is not used.

  8. بارد

    bārd

    Cold

    Usage

    For cold drinks and food.

    Grammar Note

    Same form as in Standard Arabic.

  9. جديد

    jdīd

    New

    Usage

    For something new.

    Grammar Note

    With a feminine noun it becomes "jdīda".

  10. قديم

    qdīm

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    For old things and buildings.

    Grammar Note

    Not used for people; for a person say "kbīr fī l-ʿomr".

  11. شاب

    shāb

    Young (man)

    Usage

    A word for a young man.

    Grammar Note

    For a woman it is "shāba".

  12. كبير في العمر

    kbīr fī l-ʿomr

    Old (person)

    Usage

    A polite way to refer to an elderly person.

    Grammar Note

    Literally "big in age". For a woman it is "kbīra".

  13. نظيف

    nẓīf

    Clean

    Usage

    For whether a room or toilet is clean.

    Grammar Note

    With a feminine noun it becomes "nẓīfa".

  14. مسخ

    msakh

    Dirty

    Usage

    For a dirty room or clothes.

    Grammar Note

    A colloquial sense unrelated to the Standard Arabic "masikh" (distortion).

  15. باهي

    bāhi

    Good

    Usage

    Used both for good and for an OK reply.

    Grammar Note

    "māshi" means going and is not used for OK.

  16. خايب

    khāyeb

    Bad

    Usage

    For poor goods or a bad situation.

    Grammar Note

    With a feminine noun it becomes "khāyba".

  17. قريب

    qrīb

    Near

    Usage

    For whether a destination is close.

    Grammar Note

    "qrīb min hna" means near here.

  18. بعيد

    bʿīd

    Far

    Usage

    For whether a destination is far.

    Grammar Note

    Used like "bʿīd ʿala hna" (far from here).

  19. بكري

    bekri

    Early

    Usage

    For an early hour: "rqad bekri" means he slept early.

    Grammar Note

    Also works as an adverb of time.

  20. مخر

    mkhar

    Late

    Usage

    For a late hour.

    Grammar Note

    Used as an adverb of time.

  21. برشة

    barsha

    Many, a lot

    Usage

    An all-purpose word for a large amount or number.

    Grammar Note

    Used instead of Standard Arabic "kathīr".

  22. الطقس سخون

    ṭ-ṭaqs skhūn

    It's hot (weather)

    Usage

    Describes hot weather.

    Grammar Note

    Weather noun + adjective already makes a sentence.

  23. الطقس بارد

    ṭ-ṭaqs bārd

    It's cold (weather)

    Usage

    Describes cold weather.

    Grammar Note

    Weather noun + adjective already makes a sentence.

  24. تحفون

    taḥfūn

    Cute

    Usage

    For praising a baby or a child.

    Grammar Note

    A colloquial word of praise for babies and small children.

  25. بنين

    bnīn

    Delicious

    Usage

    The standard word for praising food.

    Grammar Note

    After a feminine noun it is "bnīna", as in "mākla bnīna".

  26. عالمي

    ʿālmi

    Amazing

    Usage

    A casual way to say something is great.

    Grammar Note

    It literally means international; in speech it is a word of praise.

  27. فيها جو

    fīha jaww

    Fun

    Usage

    For an activity or place with a good mood.

    Grammar Note

    Literally "it has atmosphere".

  28. أكثر

    akthar

    More

    Usage

    When you want a larger amount.

    Grammar Note

    Same form as in Standard Arabic and also used in speech.

  29. شوية برك

    shwiyya berk

    Just a little

    Usage

    When asking for a small portion.

    Grammar Note

    "berk" means only. A sentence assembled from attested words.

  30. نص

    nuṣṣ

    Half

    Usage

    For specifying an amount, such as half a loaf.

    Grammar Note

    The colloquial form of "niṣf".

  31. الكل

    l-kull

    All of it

    Usage

    When asking for everything at once.

    Grammar Note

    It can also follow a noun.

  32. يزي

    yezzi

    That is enough

    Usage

    To stop someone adding more food or drink.

    Grammar Note

    Said sharply, it means stop it.

  33. توا

    tawwa

    Right now

    Usage

    For the present moment.

    Grammar Note

    Standard Arabic "al-ān" is not used.

  34. واحد

    wāḥed

    One person

    Usage

    For a number of people, e.g. when booking.

    Grammar Note

    The numeral one is "wāḥed".

  35. زوز عباد

    zūz ʿbād

    Two people

    Usage

    For a number of people; "two" is "zūz".

    Grammar Note

    "ʿbād" means people; Standard Arabic "ithnān" is not used. A sentence assembled from attested words.

  36. ثلاث عباد

    thlāth ʿbād

    Three people

    Usage

    For a number of people.

    Grammar Note

    The "th" is a real [θ]. A sentence assembled from attested words.

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