7ach حاش
Tunisian Derja · expression
“7ach” (حاش) is an expression in Tunisian Derja meaning excuse the expression (polite formula).
Meanings
- excuse the expression (polite formula)
- except, save
Usage
7ach is a politeness formula. It is placed before or after mentioning something considered dirty, shameful, or unpleasant: an impure animal, toilets, illness, a defect. It spares the listener. It often combines with a complement, as in "7ach khli9et rabbi" (respect to God's creatures) or "7ach essam3in" (respect to those listening). The conjugated variants 7achek / 7achekom also occur. An English speaker can render it as "excuse the expression" or "pardon my French". It is not a negation. Do not confuse it with a refusal or a denial ("not at all").
Example
حاش السامعين، ريحة الزبلة ما تتحمّلش
7ach essam3in, ri7et ezzebla ma tet7ammelch
“Excuse the expression, but the smell of the garbage is unbearable.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “7ach” but also “hach”, “7ech” and “7acha”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 7 is ha (ح), a breathy h from the throat.