teffaya طفاية
Moroccan Darija · noun
“teffaya” (طفاية) is a noun in Moroccan Darija meaning ashtray.
Meanings
- ashtray
- fire extinguisher
Usage
Teffaya refers first of all to the ashtray, the object where you put out your cigarette. The word is formed on the root meaning "to extinguish" (tfa, teffa). It is a feminine noun, and its usual plural is teffayat. In a safety context, it is also used for the fire extinguisher, but the ashtray sense is by far the most frequent in conversation. Note: the word does not refer to a person who puts something out. You would naturally say jib t-teffaya, "bring the ashtray", or fin t-teffaya?, "where is the ashtray?".
Example
عطيني الطفاية عفاك
3tini t-teffaya 3afak
“Pass me the ashtray, please.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “teffaya” but also “tfaya”, “taffaya” and “tefaya”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.