7koumi حكومي
Tunisian Derja · adjective
“7koumi” (حكومي) is an adjective in Tunisian Derja meaning governmental, of the state.
Meanings
- governmental, of the state
- public (sector, job)
Usage
7koumi means "governmental" or "public". The word comes from standard Arabic, but it is very common in Tunisia, in the media as well as in conversation. You hear it in "amr 7koumi" (governmental decree), "9ita3 7koumi" (public sector) or "sbitar 7koumi" (public hospital). The feminine is 7koumiya. In everyday life, "mta3 el dawla" (of the state) is also used with the same meaning. The tone remains rather administrative.
Example
خدمت في سبيطار حكومي
khdemt fi sbitar 7koumi
“I worked in a public hospital.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “7koumi” but also “hkoumi”, “7oukoumi” and “houkoumi”. 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.