3ammi عمي
Tunisian Derja · noun
“3ammi” (عمي) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning my paternal uncle.
Meanings
- my paternal uncle
- sir (respectful address to an older man)
Usage
3ammi literally means "my paternal uncle", the father's brother. The mother's brother is called khali. English speakers often confuse the two, but the distinction is always made. One also says wled 3ammi, "my cousin", literally "son of my paternal uncle". Out of politeness, an older man is called 3ammi even with no family relation. Placed before a first name, in the form 3am Salah, "Uncle Salah", it is an affectionate and respectful term. It often refers to a shopkeeper or a neighbourhood neighbour.
Example
عمي ساكن في صفاقس مع مرتو وصغارو.
3ammi sakna fi sfax m3a martou w sgharou.
“My uncle lives in Sfax with his wife and children.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “3ammi” but also “3ami”, “ammi”, “3emmi” and “3amy”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent.
Type “3ammi” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “my paternal uncle”; “sir (to an older man)”: 3mi in Moroccan.
In Algerian Darja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Algerian Darja, where it means “paternal uncle”; “sir (respectful address to older man)”: 3ammi in Algerian.