3aterchiya عطرشية
Tunisian Derja · noun
“3aterchiya” (عطرشية) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning rose geranium (scented).
Meanings
- rose geranium (scented)
- rose geranium water
Usage
3aterchiya refers to rose geranium, a plant very common in Tunisian gardens and on balconies. Its leaves are distilled to obtain a fragrant water, called mé 3aterchiya or simply 3aterchiya. This water flavors pastries, drinks, and some creams. It is also used for personal care, or as an old home remedy. The word evokes home cooking and the traditional springtime home distillation, alongside orange blossom water (zhar). In English, one would rather say "geranium" or "geranium water".
Example
حطّ شويّة عطرشية في الكريمة.
7ott chwaya 3aterchiya fel-krima.
“Put a little rose geranium water in the cream.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “3aterchiya” but also “3atarchia”, “atarchia” and “3atrchia”. 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.