achfamma اشفمة
Tunisian Derja · expression
“achfamma” (اشفمة) is an expression in Tunisian Derja meaning what's the matter?.
Meanings
- what's the matter?
- what's up?
Usage
Ach famma is the contraction of ach, "what", and famma, "there is". It's a very common question to ask what's going on, often when you sense a problem: a worried voice, an unexpected call. Tone decides the meaning: worried, it means "what's wrong?"; relaxed, "what's new?". You can specify the person: ach famma bik?, "what's wrong with you?". The variants ech famma and chfamma are also used. Informal register, works in all everyday situations.
Example
آشفمة؟ علاش وجهك مقلوب؟
achfamma? 3lech wejhek ma9loub?
“What's the matter? Why the long face?”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “achfamma” but also “chfamma” and “achfama”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.