7oumani حوماني
Tunisian Derja · adjective
“7oumani” (حوماني) is an adjective in Tunisian Derja meaning of the neighbourhood, working-class.
Meanings
- of the neighbourhood, working-class
- resourceful, neighbourhood-typical
Usage
7oumani is formed from houma ("neighbourhood"). It describes a person, a style or a way of speaking that comes from working-class neighbourhoods: simple, direct, unpretentious. The connotation is often affectionate and positive ("authentic, one of us"), but depending on tone it can also suggest a lack of refinement. The word is used as an adjective (sout 7oumani, "a neighbourhood voice") or as a noun ("a guy from the neighbourhood"). The feminine is 7oumaniya. The word is very present in Tunisian rap and popular music culture.
Example
هو ولد حوماني، يحب الناس الكل
howa wled 7oumani, y7eb ennes lkol
“He's a guy from the neighbourhood, he loves everybody.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “7oumani” but also “houmani”, “7oumeni”, “7umani” and “7oumanii”. 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.