chamia شامية

Tunisian Derja · noun

“chamia” (شامية) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning sesame halva.

Meanings

1. sesame halva

Usage

Chamia means halva, a confection made of sesame paste and sugar, sold in blocks cut to order or in tubs. Plain, or with pistachios, almonds or chocolate, it is eaten mostly at breakfast with bread, sometimes as an afternoon snack. People say chamia on its own, without an article, for the foodstuff: jib chamia, "bring some halva". The word is very colloquial and often appears in anecdotes and jokes about errands. It should not be confused with the feminine adjective "Syrian", which is written the same way.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “chamia” but also “chamiya”, “shamia”, “chamya” and “chemia”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Type “chamia” on the Arabic keyboard