douk دوك

Tunisian Derja · adverb

“douk” (دوك) is an adverb in Tunisian Derja meaning in a moment, soon.

Meanings

1. in a moment, soon
2. now

Usage

Douk is an adverb of time. It is especially common in the Sahel, Sfax and the South, where it often replaces tawa, more widespread in Tunis. It usually introduces an imminent action: douk nji, "I'm coming right away". It can also mark a near consequence: "and then after, we'll do…". A Tunisian understands it but hears it as a regional marker. Don't confuse it with dhouk, "those" (demonstrative pronoun), sometimes written the same way in arabizi.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

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

Type “douk” on the Arabic keyboard

In Algerian Darja

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Algerian Darja, where it means “now”; “at this point, right now”: dok in Algerian.