jarra جرة
Tunisian Derja · noun
“jarra” (جرة) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning jar, earthenware pot.
Meanings
- jar, earthenware pot
Usage
Jarra refers to a jar or pitcher, most often made of terracotta. It was used to store olive oil, water or provisions: "jarra mta3 zit" is a jar of oil. The word belongs to traditional household vocabulary. It appears in tales and stories of hidden treasure, where a jar full of gold is a frequent motif. The common plural is jrar. Note: the spelling "jort" found in sources does not match the usual pronunciation, which is jarra.
Example
جدتي كانت تخبي الزيت في جرة كبيرة.
jadda mte3i kenet tkhabbi ezzit fi jarra kbira.
“My grandmother used to keep oil in a big jar.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “jarra” but also “jerra”, “jara” and “jort”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.