hawka هوكا
Tunisian Derja · adverb
“hawka” (هوكا) is an adverb in Tunisian Derja meaning there it is, it's there.
Meanings
- there it is, it's there
- over there (pointing)
Usage
Hawka is used to point out a visible object or place, or to locate it: "hawka 3la ysarek" (it's there, on your left). It is often heard when giving directions or handing something to someone. It belongs to the family of haw (here is) and agrees with what is being pointed out: hawka for a masculine, hayka for a feminine. It is a colloquial word, very frequent in speech. It is not used as a plain, abstract adverb of place: it assumes that you are pointing at something.
Example
الفارماسي هوكا قدّامك
el pharmacie hawka 9oddemek
“The pharmacy is right there, in front of you.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “hawka” but also “howka”, “hawk” and “ahwka”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.