chwa شوى

Tunisian Derja · verb

“chwa” (شوى) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to grill, to roast.

Meanings

1. to grill, to roast
2. to scorch, to burn

Usage

Chwa means to grill or roast over a fire or embers. The imperfect is yochwi and the past participle mechwi, hence the salade mechouia, made of grilled vegetables, and the festive roasted lamb mechwi. It is used for meat, peppers, ears of corn or chestnuts. The passive form tchwa or tachwa means "to be grilled" and is also used figuratively for someone suffering from the heat. Do not confuse this verb with chwaya, "a little", which is unrelated.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “chwa” but also “chwe” and “chawa”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Type “chwa” on the Arabic keyboard

In Moroccan Darija

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “to grill, to roast”; “grilled food, barbecue”: chwa in Moroccan.