Festivals & Events

1. رمضان

   ramaḍān

   Ramadan

   Usage

   The fasting month of the Islamic calendar. The meal after sunset is shared with family and friends, and many restaurants are closed in the daytime.

   Grammar Note

   A masculine noun; fasting during it is called "ṣiyām".

2. أنا صايم

   ana ṣāyem

   I am fasting

   Usage

   A phrase for politely declining food or drink. A woman says "ṣāyma".

   Grammar Note

   "Ṣāyem" is the masculine active participle meaning "fasting". This sentence is composed.

3. رمضان مبارك

   ramaḍān mbārek

   Blessed Ramadan

   Usage

   A greeting exchanged before and during Ramadan; the same words can be returned.

   Grammar Note

   A composed greeting; "mbārek" means "blessed".

4. العيد الصغير

   l-ʿīd ṣ-ṣghīr

   Eid al-Fitr (the small Eid)

   Usage

   The festival at the end of Ramadan: people wear new clothes, visit relatives and eat sweets. Shops close for a few days.

   Grammar Note

   "The small Eid", as opposed to "l-ʿīd l-kbīr" (the big Eid).

5. العيد الكبير

   l-ʿīd l-kbīr

   Eid al-Adha (the big Eid)

   Usage

   The festival of sacrifice, when a sheep is slaughtered and shared. Sheep prices rise and the roads are busy around it.

   Grammar Note

   "The big Eid"; the same festival is also called "ʿīd l-aḍḥā".

6. عيد الأضحى

   ʿīd l-aḍḥā

   Eid al-Adha

   Usage

   Everyday speech usually says "l-ʿīd l-kbīr". The date moves about ten days earlier each year.

   Grammar Note

   "ʿĪd" (festival) followed by "l-aḍḥā" (sacrifice).

7. المولد

   l-mawlid

   Mawlid (Prophet's birthday)

   Usage

   The day marking the Prophet Muhammad's birth. Many families make asida with pine seeds.

   Grammar Note

   A masculine noun; the full name is "l-mawlid n-nabawī".

8. عيد المرأة

   ʿīd l-marʾa

   Women's Day (13 August)

   Usage

   A public holiday on 13 August, when schools and offices are closed.

   Grammar Note

   "ʿĪd" (holiday) followed by "l-marʾa" (the woman).

9. عيد الاستقلال

   ʿīd l-istiqlāl

   Independence Day (20 March)

   Usage

   A national holiday on 20 March with ceremonies and street celebrations.

   Grammar Note

   A holiday name, often treated as "nhār ʿuṭla" (a day off).

10. عيد الجمهورية

    ʿīd l-jumhūriyya

    Republic Day (25 July)

    Usage

    A national holiday on 25 July, with celebrations in the streets.

    Grammar Note

    "ʿĪd" (holiday) followed by "l-jumhūriyya" (the republic).

11. مهرجان قرطاج

    mahrajān Qarṭāj

    Carthage International Festival

    Usage

    A summer festival of music and stage shows held in the Roman theatre. Buy tickets at the official box office.

    Grammar Note

    "Mahrajān" (festival) followed by the place name.

12. مهرجان الحمامات

    mahrajān l-Ḥammāmāt

    Hammamet International Festival

    Usage

    A summer arts festival held in an open-air theatre by the sea.

    Grammar Note

    A composed name; the place name keeps its article.

13. أيام قرطاج السينمائية

    ayyām Qarṭāj s-sīnemāʾiyya

    Carthage Film Festival

    Usage

    A festival of African and Arab cinema held in Tunis, with screenings in several cinemas across the city.

    Grammar Note

    A proper name made of "ayyām" (days), "Qarṭāj" and "s-sīnemāʾiyya" (cinematic); composed.

14. راس العام العجمي

    rās l-ʿām l-ʿajmi

    New Year (1 January)

    Usage

    New Year's Day on 1 January; on New Year's Eve many people celebrate in hotels and cafés.

    Grammar Note

    "Rās l-ʿām l-ʿajmi" is the Gregorian new year; the Islamic one is "rās l-ʿām l-hijri".

15. وقتاش يبدا المهرجان؟

    waqtāsh yebda l-mahrajān?

    When does the festival start?

    Usage

    To ask the start date or time of a festival or concert.

    Grammar Note

    A composed question: "waqtāsh" (when) + "yebda" (starts) + noun.

16. فما ألعاب نارية؟

    fammā alʿāb nāriyya?

    Are there fireworks?

    Usage

    To ask whether there will be fireworks on a festival night.

    Grammar Note

    A composed question: "fammā" means "there is/are" and comes first.

17. فما حفلة الليلة؟

    fammā ḥafla l-līla?

    Is there a concert tonight?

    Usage

    To look for a music event on a summer evening.

    Grammar Note

    A composed question: "ḥafla" can mean a party or a concert.

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