barram برم
Tunisian Derja · verb
“barram” (برم) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to wind, to twist (a thread, a rope).
Meanings
- to wind, to twist (a thread, a rope)
- to turn, to rotate
Usage
Barram is used for winding or twisting a thread, rope, or wick around something. It is often heard about the traditional spinning top (zarbout), whose string is wound up before launching it. The typical construction is barram + object + 3la + support: barram el khit 3la... The verb can also mean spinning an object on itself. It is an informal word tied to concrete everyday gestures. For an English speaker, it should be distinguished from dar (to turn, to go around), which is more general and carries no idea of winding.
Example
برم الخيط على الزربوط و رماه
barram el khit 3la ezzarbout w ramah
“He wound the string around the spinning top and launched it.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “barram” but also “barrem”, “baram” and “berrem”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.