9antra قنطرة
Tunisian Derja · noun
“9antra” (قنطرة) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning bridge.
Meanings
- bridge
- footbridge, small crossing structure
Usage
9antra is the usual word for "bridge" in Tunisia. It refers to a large road structure, such as the Bizerte movable bridge, as well as a small bridge over a wadi or a footbridge. The plural is 9nater. In directions, it is a frequent landmark: ba3d el 9antra ("after the bridge"), ta7t el 9antra ("under the bridge"). Depending on the region, the q is pronounced q or g, hence the spellings 9antra and gantra. The word is neutral and used in all registers.
Example
قص القنطرة وبعد دور على اليمين.
9oss el 9antra w ba3d dour 3al limin.
“Cross the bridge, then turn right.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “9antra” but also “gantra”, “kantra”, “qantra” and “9antara”. 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.
Type “9antra” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “bridge”; “footbridge, small crossing”: 9entra in Moroccan.