bhema بهامة
Tunisian Derja · noun
“bhema” (بهامة) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning stupidity, foolishness.
Meanings
- stupidity, foolishness
- idiotic talk or behaviour
Usage
Bhema comes from the same family as bhim (donkey) and means stupidity, foolishness. The register is informal and slightly contemptuous, without being a serious insult. It is used mainly to reproach behaviour: "bla bhema" (enough of this nonsense), "3andou bhema" (he is stupid). The word is often combined with other terms of reproach, as in "bhema w tbal3it". The word remains pejorative: it is best avoided in polite contexts, and above all not addressed directly to an elder.
Example
يزي ملبهامة واسمع الكلام
yezzi mel bhema w esma3 lkle
“Stop your nonsense and listen to what you're told.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “bhema” but also “bhéma”, “bhama” and “bhemma”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.