Tunisian Derja is the everyday spoken Arabic of about twelve million Tunisians and several hundred thousand diaspora members. It is an oral dialect, distinct from Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), rich in Berber, French, Italian and Turkish borrowings. With this kit, you have the bare minimum to greet, find your way and make a good impression in Tunis, Sfax, Sousse or Djerba.
Tunisian Derja is the everyday spoken Arabic of Tunisia, used by about twelve million people, plus an active diaspora in France, Italy and Canada. It is an oral dialect, distinct from Modern Standard Arabic (MSA, fusha) which remains the official written language and the language of formal media. Tunisian Derja has emerged at the crossroads of classical Arabic, Berber which contributed many everyday words, French (a protectorate legacy still very alive in education and administration), Italian (geographic proximity and the historical presence of a large Italian community) and Turkish (a legacy of the Ottoman regency). This blend produces a lively, expressive dialect often considered the richest in non-Arabic borrowings in the Maghreb. Grammatically and lexically, Tunisian Derja stands close to Algerian and Moroccan Darija but keeps strong specifics (Chnowa for what, Win for where, Aslema for hi) that make it immediately recognizable. Like its Maghreb cousins, it remains rarely mutually intelligible without exposure for a speaker of eastern Arabic (Egyptian, Levantine, Gulf). The language has no official spelling; it is written in Arabic script or in Latin script with digits for specific sounds (3 for ayn, 7 for hha, 9 for qaf). Culturally, Tunisian Derja drives a varied music scene (mezoued, malouf, rap), an internationally awarded cinema and a thriving literature. This kit brings together the bare essentials to greet, find your way around town, order coffee and tea, handle an emergency and take leave politely, with a glossary of everyday words.
Here is how these phrases play out in real life. Each scene sets the stage and gathers the useful expressions.
You arrive in Tunis in the early morning. You greet your host with a respectful Salem alikom, receive the expected Wa alikom essalam, then offer a warm Aslema to a neighbour and finish with Sba7 el-khir to mark the start of the day.
The taxi drops you off in the Tunis medina and you look for your way. You ask Chnowa to understand what is said, Chkoun to know who is waiting at the door, Win to find your bearings and Waqtech to check the meeting time.
You sit at a Sidi Bou Said cafe overlooking the sea. You first ask for bread (Khobz) on the side, some cold water (Ma), then the ritual: a short Arab coffee (9ahwa) and a mint tea (Tay) for your neighbour at the table.
You had a bad night and explain how you feel to the pharmacist. You start with Sba7 ennour, slip in Msa el-khir to mention that the trouble began last night, and reply to Chnowa a7welek with a sober Labes so as not to worry.
You leave the home where you stayed. You thank with an El hamdoullah for the time spent, say goodbye with an affectionate Bslema, receive a final Marhba inviting you to come back and close with a sincere Yaichek to honour the hospitality.
What you need to know before travelling to a derja tunisienne-speaking country.
Tunisian Derja is an oral dialect, distinct from Modern Standard Arabic taught in schools and used in official media. Latin transliteration uses digits for unique sounds (3 for ayn, 7 for hha, 9 for qaf), common in texts and on social media.
Aslema is a typically Tunisian greeting, warmer and more informal than the universal Salem alikom. Using it with friends or a shopkeeper shows that you know the country.
French is very present in Tunisia, especially in Tunis and educated circles, and Italian also slips into the vocabulary (notably for food). Adding a few Derja words (Yaichek, Bslema) opens a different kind of relationship.
Coffee (9ahwa) sits at the heart of Tunisian social life. Arabic coffee (9ahwa arbi) is short and strong, white coffee (9ahwa b 7lib) is milder. Refusing an offered coffee can feel rude; accept at least symbolically.
Bargaining is expected in souks and with informal drivers, but rare in fixed shops or malls. Stay polite; a smile and patience change everything.
During Ramadan, schedules shift: restaurants closed by day, intense nightlife after iftar. Eat and drink discreetly in public if you are not fasting, out of respect.
The right hand is used for eating, giving and receiving. Handling food or passing an object with the left hand can seem impolite in a traditional setting; adjust quietly.
Tunisian Derja stands close to Moroccan and Algerian Darija but keeps its own markers: Chnowa for what, Win for where, Aslema for hi. These instantly identify you as someone who knows the country.
Preview. The full glossary (30 words) and all the phrases are in the PDF.
Choukran
thank you
Ya3tik essaha
may God give you health
Min fadlek
please
Samahni
forgive me / excuse me
Aih
yes
Le
no
Ena
I / me
Enta
you (m)
Enti
you (f)
Houa
he / him
A hundred words, thirty key phrases, as a printable PDF. Instant download, also sent by e-mail.
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Every translation is cross-checked against at least two concordant sources among the references below.
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