Basic Words

1. إي

   ī

   Yes

   Usage

   A short yes. The French-derived "wī" is also understood.

   Grammar Note

   Standard Arabic "naʿam" is understood too, but the short "ī" is what people say day to day.

2. لا

   lā

   No

   Usage

   A plain no. Add "yʿayyshek" (thanks) to refuse politely.

   Grammar Note

   Same form as in Standard Arabic and used as is.

3. من فضلك

   min faḍlek

   Please

   Usage

   A polite tag before or after a request; works with shop staff and drivers.

   Grammar Note

   A set phrase taken from the standard language and used as is in daily speech; -ek is "your" for both genders.

4. يعيشك

   yʿayyshek

   Thank you

   Usage

   The most natural way to say thanks; the form is the same for men, women and elders. Use it in shops and after meals.

   Grammar Note

   A verb "keeps alive" plus the "you" suffix -ek (same for both genders). The French loan "mersi" also works.

5. سامحني

   sāmḥni

   Excuse me / Sorry

   Usage

   Used to get someone's attention and also for a light apology. A natural opener before asking for directions.

   Grammar Note

   An imperative "forgive" plus the "me" suffix -ni; it is the same whether you address a man or a woman.

6. ما فماش مشكل

   mā fammā-sh mushkil

   No problem

   Usage

   The reply when someone apologises or when you agree to a request.

   Grammar Note

   The existential "famma" wrapped in "mā … -sh" gives "there isn't". A sentence assembled from attested words.

7. ما نفهمش

   mā nfehm-sh

   I don't understand

   Usage

   When you cannot follow what was said; follow it with a request to slow down.

   Grammar Note

   Negation wraps the verb as "mā … -sh": the two parts form one negative.

8. فهمت

   fhemt

   I understood / I got it

   Usage

   The reply once an explanation has sunk in; the same for men and women.

   Grammar Note

   First person past of "understand"; the past form is used for "I get it".

9. كملت

   kmelt

   I'm finished

   Usage

   Say it when you have finished a meal or a task.

   Grammar Note

   First person past of "finish".

10. استنى من فضلك

    stanna min faḍlek

    Please wait

    Usage

    When you want someone to hold on for a moment.

    Grammar Note

    The imperative of "wait" plus "min faḍlek"; the same form for a man or a woman. A sentence assembled from attested words.

11. لحظة من فضلك

    laḥẓa min faḍlek

    Just a moment, please

    Usage

    Use it at a counter or shop to ask for a short wait.

    Grammar Note

    "laḥẓa" alone already means "one moment". A sentence assembled from attested words.

12. ما عنديش حجز

    mā ʿandi-sh ḥajz

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    To tell a hotel or restaurant that you have no booking.

    Grammar Note

    "ʿandi" (I have) wrapped in "mā … -sh" gives "I don't have". A sentence assembled from attested words.

13. عندي حجز

    ʿandi ḥajz

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    To tell a hotel or restaurant that you have booked.

    Grammar Note

    Having is expressed with "ʿand + person": "ʿandi" is "at me". A sentence assembled from attested words.

14. عاوني من فضلك

    ʿāwni min faḍlek

    Please help me

    Usage

    A request for help when you are stuck.

    Grammar Note

    The imperative "help" plus the "me" suffix -ni; same for both genders. A sentence assembled from attested words.

15. عاود من فضلك

    ʿāwed min faḍlek

    Please repeat that

    Usage

    Ask someone to say it again when you did not catch it.

    Grammar Note

    The imperative of "repeat" plus "min faḍlek". A sentence assembled from attested words.

16. احكي بالشوية من فضلك

    iḥki b-sh-shwiyya min faḍlek

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When someone talks too fast to follow.

    Grammar Note

    "b-shwiyya" means slowly or quietly; the imperative is the same for both genders. A sentence assembled from attested words.

17. نحكي شوية

    nḥki shwiyya

    I speak a little

    Usage

    To say that you can manage only a little of the language.

    Grammar Note

    The present is built with a bare prefix ("nḥki" = I speak). A sentence assembled from attested words.

18. تحكي إنڨليزية؟

    tḥki inglīziyya?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Asks whether English is possible in shops and tourist spots; same for men and women.

    Grammar Note

    The second-person present does not mark gender. A question keeps the word order and is shown by rising tone. A sentence assembled from attested words.

19. هاذا

    hādhā

    This

    Usage

    Used while pointing at something near; for a feminine thing it is "hādhi".

    Grammar Note

    Tunisian writes the demonstrative with an alef after the dhāl ("hādhā"), not the Standard Arabic spelling.

20. هاذاكا

    hādhāka

    That

    Usage

    For something or someone a little farther away.

    Grammar Note

    A distal form built on "hādhā".

21. هنا

    hna

    Here

    Usage

    Basic place word, as in "stop here".

    Grammar Note

    Same spelling as in Standard Arabic, but spoken short as "hna".

22. غادي

    ghādi

    There

    Usage

    Points to a place away from you.

    Grammar Note

    Unlike Moroccan "ghādi" (going to), here it is a place word.

23. أنا

    ana

    I, me

    Usage

    The basic word for yourself; the same for men and women.

    Grammar Note

    Same form as in Standard Arabic.

24. إنت

    ent

    You

    Usage

    Addresses one person; the same for a man or a woman.

    Grammar Note

    Unlike Standard Arabic "anta/anti", it is the short "ent" with no gender split.

25. مع بعضنا

    maʿ baʿḍna

    Together

    Usage

    For doing something side by side, such as taking a photo together.

    Grammar Note

    "maʿ" (with) + "baʿḍna" (each other, we) gives "together".

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