bi9a3 بقع
Tunisian Derja · noun
“bi9a3” (بقع) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning places, spots, corners.
Meanings
- places, spots, corners
- stains, spots
Usage
Bi9a3 is the plural of bou9'a or bo9a3a. The word first means places or corners, often qualified by an adjective: "bi9a3 mezyena", "beautiful spots". In this sense it competes with blayes or blasat, derived from the French "place", which remain more common in speech. It can also mean "stains", on clothing or skin. Context decides between the two senses. The word is neutral and is used both for places to visit and for areas of a region.
Example
في تونس عندنا بقع مزيانة برشا.
fi tounes 3andna bi9a3 mezyena barcha.
“In Tunisia, we have a lot of beautiful places.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “bi9a3” but also “bka3”, “bqa3” and “bi9e3”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent; 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.