dhka ذكاء
Tunisian Derja · noun
“dhka” (ذكاء) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning intelligence, quick-mindedness.
Meanings
- intelligence, quick-mindedness
Usage
Dhka, "intelligence", is a common word in both speech and writing. People say 3andou dhka, "he is intelligent", or na9es dhka, "not very bright", often in a mocking tone. The corresponding adjective is dhki, "intelligent". In colloquial speech, fhim or chater, "resourceful", are also used to describe someone sharp. Tunisian pronunciation often has a final vowel close to "é", which explains spellings such as dhke. The expression dhka istina3i, "artificial intelligence", comes from Standard Arabic.
Example
البنت هاذي عندها ذكاء كبير.
el bent hedhi 3andha dhka kbir.
“This girl is very intelligent.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “dhka” but also “dhke”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.