3did عديد
Tunisian Derja · adjective
“3did” (عديد) is an adjective in Tunisian Derja meaning many, numerous.
Meanings
- many, numerous
Usage
3did is placed before a plural noun, with no article or preposition: 3did el marrat ("many times"), 3did ennes ("many people"). It belongs to a rather formal or semi-formal register. It is heard in the media, in speeches and in serious commentary, whereas ordinary conversation prefers barcha. This direct construction, without "min", is very typical of Tunisian usage. It translates naturally as "numerous" or "several". It is not used alone as an adverb.
Example
قلتلو عديد المرات وما سمعش
9oltlou 3did el marrat w ma sma3ch
“I told him many times and he didn't listen.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “3did” but also “3adid”, “adid” and “3dide”. 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.