9na3 قنع

Tunisian Derja · verb

“9na3” (قنع) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to be content with, satisfied with.

Meanings

1. to be content with, satisfied with
2. to convince (form 9anna3)

Usage

The verb 9na3 means to be content with what one has, to accept without seeking more. It is built with the preposition b-: 9na3 b-khedmtou, "he was content with his work". The corresponding adjective is 9ane3, "content with one's lot, resigned". The intensive form 9anna3 has another meaning: to convince someone, as in 9anna3 ennes, "he convinced the people". In writing without vowels, the two forms look alike. Rely on the construction: 9na3 + b- means to be content, 9anna3 + a person as object means to convince.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “9na3” but also “9ana3”, “qna3”, “9ine3” and “9enna3”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent; 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.

Type “9na3” on the Arabic keyboard

In Moroccan Darija

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “to convince, persuade (9enne3)”; “to be content with (9ne3 b)”: 9ne3 in Moroccan.