baraka بركة
Tunisian Derja · noun
“baraka” (بركة) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning blessing, divine grace.
Meanings
- blessing, divine grace
- abundance, lasting benefit
- pool, puddle
Usage
The word baraka refers to God's blessing and to whatever brings good fortune. It appears in many phrases: "rabbi yjib el baraka" (may God bless), "fih el baraka" (that's enough, it will do), "bel hda wel baraka" (calmly and with blessing). It is also used for the blessing of a saint or an elderly person. Pronounced birka, the same word means a pool or puddle ("birka mta3 ma"). French borrowed "baraka" in the sense of luck, but in Tunisian the religious meaning dominates.
Example
ربّي يجعل فيه البركة
rabbi yej3el fih el baraka
“May God put His blessing in it.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “baraka” but also “barka” and “birka”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.