itfouh اتفوه
Tunisian Derja · interjection
“itfouh” (اتفوه) is an interjection in Tunisian Derja meaning ugh! (contempt, disgust).
Meanings
- ugh! (contempt, disgust)
- shame on (with 3la)
Usage
Itfouh imitates the sound of spitting. It expresses deep contempt or disgust. Used alone, it marks rejection of a situation. Followed by 3la ("on"), it targets a person or thing, for example itfouh 3lik or itfouh 3la hal zmen. On social media it is often written with repeated h's for emphasis. The interjection is not vulgar in itself, but when thrown at someone it is very insulting. An English speaker should therefore avoid using it face to face and keep it for commenting on a situation.
Example
اتفوه على هالزمان
itfouh 3la hal zmen
“Ugh, shame on these times!”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “itfouh” but also “etfouh”, “tfouh”, “itfou” and “tfou”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.