dhan ظن
Tunisian Derja · verb
“dhan” (ظن) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to think, believe, suppose.
Meanings
- to think, believe, suppose
- suspicion, assumption
Usage
In Tunisian, this verb is used mostly in the first person to give a cautious opinion: "nadhen" (I think, I believe), and very often in the negative "ma nadhenech" (I don't think). It softens a statement, like "it seems to me". The noun dhann, meaning "suspicion" or "assumption", belongs more to Standard Arabic and proverbs. To say "I believe that" in conversation, you also often hear "dhaherli" (it seems to me). The initial sound is often written dh or th in arabizi.
Example
ما نظنّش باش يجي اليوم
ma nadhenech bech yji lyoum
“I don't think he'll come today.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “dhan” but also “dhann”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.