bira بيرا
Tunisian Derja · noun
“bira” (بيرا) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning beer (the drink).
Meanings
- beer (the drink)
- a beer, a bottle or can
Usage
Bira is the common word for beer in Tunisia. It is used both for the drink in general and for a single unit: one says "ka3bet bira" for a bottle or a can, ka3ba serving as a classifier. The word is informal and belongs to everyday register, in cafés, bars and conversations between friends. It is feminine and takes the article "el-": "el-bira". Alcohol consumption remains a sensitive topic in part of society, and the word may be poorly received in family or religious settings.
Example
جيب زوز بيرات باردين من الفريجيدار.
jib zouz birat bardin mel frigidaire.
“Bring two cold beers from the fridge.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “bira” but also “birra” and “byra”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.