bhatt بهت
Tunisian Derja · verb
“bhatt” (بهت) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to be stunned, open-mouthed.
Meanings
- to be stunned, open-mouthed
- to be astonished, dumbstruck
Usage
Bhatt describes the effect of a surprise so strong that you freeze, speechless. The word is colloquial and is used mostly in the first person to recount a reaction: "bhatt", "I was left open-mouthed". It is often reinforced with "wallahi". The shock can be pleasant or unpleasant, depending on the context. Note: the word does not mean fear. It expresses astonishment that paralyzes. To talk about a colour fading, you would rather use "bhet", in a different register.
Example
كي سمعت الخبر بهتّ.
ki sma3t el khbar bhatt.
“When I heard the news, I was left open-mouthed.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “bhatt” but also “bhat”, “bhet” and “behet”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.