jorthouma جرثومة
Tunisian Derja · noun
“jorthouma” (جرثومة) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning germ, microbe.
Meanings
- germ, microbe
- vile person (pejorative)
Usage
Jorthouma comes from Modern Standard Arabic and is in common use in Tunisia. In its literal sense it means a microbe, germ or bacterium, for example in hygiene advice. The plural is jrathim. Figuratively, it is used contemptuously for a person seen as harmful, a bit like "vermin" or "parasite" in English. In this sense it is common in political exchanges and on social media. This use is insulting and should be avoided in polite conversation. The register is neutral in the literal sense, abusive in the figurative sense.
Example
الجرثومة هاذي تتنقل بالماء
ej-jorthouma hedhi tetna9el bel-me
“This germ is transmitted through water.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “jorthouma” but also “jarthouma”, “jortouma” and “jarthoma”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.