7chchoumi حشومي
Moroccan Darija · adjective
“7chchoumi” (حشومي) is an adjective in Moroccan Darija meaning shy, reserved.
Meanings
- shy, reserved
- bashful, easily embarrassed
Usage
An adjective derived from 7chouma ("shame, modesty"). It describes a person who hangs back, doesn't dare to speak or blushes easily in front of others. It is said of a child in front of guests, of a young person in front of elders, or by extension of a timid animal. The feminine is 7chchoumiya, the plural 7chchoumiyin. The tone is neutral or affectionate, rarely a reproach. Note: 7chouma on its own is used as an exclamation ("how shameful!"). Don't confuse it with 7chem, "to be ashamed, to feel embarrassed", which is a verb.
Example
الباندة مخلوق حشومي
lppanDa mekhlou9 7chchoumi
“The panda is a shy animal.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “7chchoumi” but also “7choumi”, “hchoumi”, “7echchoumi” and “hachoumi”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 7 is ha (ح), a breathy h from the throat.