3za عزاء
Tunisian Derja · noun
“3za” (عزاء) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning mourning gathering, wake.
Meanings
- mourning gathering, wake
- condolences
- gloomy atmosphere (figurative)
Usage
In Tunisia, 3za (often written without the hamza) refers mainly to the gathering that follows a death. The family receives relatives and neighbours for several days. "Mcha lel 3za" means to go and offer condolences at the deceased's home. Figuratively, "kif el 3za" describes a dull, silent or sad atmosphere, for example a failed party. The expression "wala 3aza li..." (no consolation for...), common online, comes from Standard Arabic and belongs to an emphatic register. Not to be confused with the burial itself, which is usually called dfin.
Example
مشينا للعزا في دار جارنا
mchina lel 3za fi dar jarna
“We went to the condolence gathering at our neighbour's house.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “3za” but also “3aza” and “3zé”. 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.