7an حان
Tunisian Derja · verb
“7an” (حان) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to come (of time), be due.
Meanings
- to come (of time), be due
Usage
7an comes from standard Arabic. In derja, it is used mainly in the fixed expression 7an el wa9t ("it is time", "the moment has come"). It often appears in assertive or solemn speech: declarations, political commentary, calls to action. The typical construction is 7an el wa9t bech… ("it is time to…"). In ordinary conversation, one more readily says 9rab el wa9t or wsel el wa9t. The word is avoided for talking about the time of day. It is hardly conjugated beyond the third person.
Example
حان الوقت باش نبدلو
7an el wa9t bech nbadlou
“It is time for us to change.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “7an” but also “han” and “7aan”. 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.