chrif شريف
Tunisian Derja · adjective
“chrif” (شريف) is an adjective in Tunisian Derja meaning honest, upright.
Meanings
- honest, upright
- honourable, respectable
- descendant of the Prophet (sharif)
Usage
Chrif describes an upright, honest person who neither steals nor cheats: "rajel chrif" (an upright man). In the feminine, chrifa can also refer to a woman's honour and reputation. The word is used in political and sports debate to defend or attack someone: "mouch chrif" (dishonest). It also refers to the descendants of the Prophet, and it is very common as a first name and surname. In those last cases it is a proper noun. The register is everyday.
Example
هو راجل شريف، عمرو ما خذا فرنك موش متاعو
houa rajel chrif, 3omrou ma khdhe frank mouch mte3ou
“He's an honest man, he never took a franc that wasn't his.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “chrif” but also “cherif”, “charif”, “chérif” and “chrife”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.