3mel kif عمل كيف
Tunisian Derja · expression
“3mel kif” (عمل كيف) is an expression in Tunisian Derja meaning to have a great time.
Meanings
- to have a great time
- to please someone, give pleasure
Usage
Expression built on kif, "pleasure, well-being, ecstasy", very common in Tunisia in informal register. Na3mlou kif is said of an outing, a party or a meal one wants to fully enjoy. With a person as object (3maltli kif), it means "you pleased me, you delighted me". Young people also use it for a great concert or match. Note: depending on context, kif can evoke drug-induced euphoria, especially cannabis. Don't confuse it with kif "like" (kif kif, "the same"), which is pronounced the same way.
Example
البارح مشينا للبحر وعملنا كيف
lbare7 mchina lel b7ar w 3malna kif
“Yesterday we went to the beach and had a great time.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “3mel kif” but also “3amel kif” and “3mal kif”. 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.