chmel شمال
Tunisian Derja · noun
“chmel” (شمال) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning north (cardinal direction).
Meanings
- north (cardinal direction)
- the North (region of Tunisia)
Usage
The word chmel (or chamel) means north. With the article, ech-chmel often refers to the northern regions of Tunisia, as in ech-chmel el gharbi (the Northwest), an expression very common in the media and in conversation. It combines with the other cardinal points: chmel chargi (northeast). The corresponding adjective is chmeli (northern), and ri7 chmel means the north wind. The word is used in both everyday and formal language.
Example
عايلتي ساكنة في الشمال الغربي.
3ayelti sakna fel chmel el gharbi.
“My family lives in the Northwest.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “chmel” but also “chamel”, “chemel”, “chmal” and “shmel”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “chmel” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “north”; “northern Morocco”: chamal in Moroccan.
In Algerian Darja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Algerian Darja, where it means “north”; “the north of the country”: chmal in Algerian.