kanz كنز
Tunisian Derja · noun
“kanz” (كنز) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning hidden treasure.
Meanings
- hidden treasure
- precious find, thing of great value
Usage
Kanz literally means buried treasure. It appears in tales and stories of treasure hunters. In daily life, the word is used mostly figuratively, for a precious find. An old notebook, a cheap shop or a person one appreciates can thus be a kanz. People readily say "l9it kanz" (I found a treasure) or "hedha kanz" to praise something. The plural is "knouz". The register is common. The figurative use is often enthusiastic, sometimes ironic.
Example
لقيت كتب قدم في الدار، كنز!
l9it kotob 9dom fel dar, kanz!
“I found old books at home, a real treasure!”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “kanz” but also “kenz” and “kanzz”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.