fyena فيانة
Tunisian Derja · noun
“fyena” (فيانة) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning gentleness, delicacy in manners.
Meanings
- gentleness, delicacy in manners
- refinement, elegance
Usage
Fyena refers to delicacy, gentleness and tact in how one behaves with others. The word also describes a certain elegance or refinement. It is often used with the preposition b: y3amel b fyèna, "he treats people with delicacy". One also says mta3 fyèna to describe what belongs to refinement, sometimes with a touch of irony when speaking of affected manners. The register is common and rather positive. Don't confuse this word with mere formal politeness: it implies real gentleness.
Example
يحكي معاها بفيانة باش ما يجرحهاش.
ya7ki m3aha b fyena bech ma yjar7hech.
“He talks to her with delicacy so as not to hurt her.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “fyena” but also “fiyena”, “fiena” and “fiyana”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.