3azzouza عزوزة
Tunisian Derja · noun
“3azzouza” (عزوزة) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning old woman.
Meanings
- old woman
- granny (colloquial)
Usage
3azzouza is a colloquial and very common word for an elderly woman. It is often used affectionately, notably for one's grandmother (el 3azzouza mte3i). Depending on the tone, it can also be a bit condescending. The corresponding masculine is 3azzouz, "old man". In folk tales and stories, el 3azzouza is a typical character. To speak of someone respectfully or politely, people prefer mra kbira (an elderly woman). Azzouza also exists as a female first name, so context is needed to tell whether it is a proper name.
Example
العزوزة قاعدة قدّام الدار
el 3azzouza 9a3da 9oddem ed-dar
“The old woman is sitting in front of the house.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “3azzouza” but also “azzouza”, “3zouza” and “3azouza”. 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.