9abdha قبضة
Tunisian Derja · noun
“9abdha” (قبضة) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning handful, what a closed hand holds.
Meanings
- handful, what a closed hand holds
- grip, hold
- fist
Usage
9abdha first refers to the amount held in a closed hand. It is often used in cooking: "9abdha mel7", "a handful of salt", or "9abdha 7omms", "a handful of chickpeas". In a more elevated register, close to standard Arabic, the word takes on the sense of grip or hold: "men 9abdhet …", "from the grip of…". The sense of "fist" is mostly found in dubbed TV series and written texts. In everyday conversation, other words are used for fist. Note: the word does not refer to a door handle.
Example
زيد قبضة ملح للماكلة
zid 9abdha mel7 lel mekla
“Add a handful of salt to the dish.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “9abdha” but also “kabdha”, “qabdha” and “9abda”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.