cha5 شاخ
Tunisian Derja · verb
“cha5” (شاخ) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to have an intensely good time.
Meanings
- to have an intensely good time
- to be euphoric, be high
Usage
A colloquial verb, used mostly by young people, to say that one is enjoying oneself fully or savouring a moment: a party, music, an outing with friends. It is commonly conjugated in the past: chakhit (I had a blast), cha5na (we had a blast). It can also refer to the euphoria brought on by alcohol or other substances, which gives it a slangy colouring: best avoided in formal settings or with elders. The corresponding noun, cha5a or chay5a, refers to that moment of euphoria. Do not confuse it with the Standard Arabic verb meaning "to grow old".
Example
شخنا برشا في العرس البارح
cha5na barcha fil 3ors lbere7
“We had a great time at the wedding yesterday.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “cha5” but also “chakh”, “sha5” and “chekh”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 5 is kha (خ), like the ch in Scottish loch.