faj2a فجاة
Tunisian Derja · adverb
“faj2a” (فجاة) is an adverb in Tunisian Derja meaning suddenly, all of a sudden.
Meanings
- suddenly, all of a sudden
Usage
Faj2a (often written fajaa) means "all of a sudden, suddenly". It is generally placed at the start of a sentence to introduce an unexpected event: faj2a tfa ddaw (all of a sudden, the power went out). The word comes from standard Arabic, but it is well integrated into derja and is also used in speech. One also hears bel faj2a, with the same meaning. In a more colloquial register, Tunisians often say 3la ghafla (unexpectedly, without warning). The form faj2atan, with the classical ending, belongs to writing or a formal style.
Example
كنّا قاعدين وفجأة طفى الضو
konna 9a3din w faj2a tfa ddaw
“We were sitting and suddenly the power went out.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “faj2a” but also “fajaa”, “fajea”, “fej2a” and “fajaatan”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 2 is hamza (ء), a glottal stop.