khiir خيير
Tunisian Derja · adjective
“khiir” (خيير) is an adjective in Tunisian Derja meaning better (than).
Meanings
- better (than)
- good, well-being
Usage
Khiir is an elongated spelling of khir, found online for emphasis. The word serves as a comparative, "better than," in the construction "khir men": "khir men barcha", "better than many". As a noun, it refers to good or prosperity, especially in wishes like "kol 3am w enti bkhir". The doubled vowel expresses emphasis. In speech, the word is identical to khir. Note: khir does not agree; it remains invariable in the feminine and plural.
Example
هذا خيير من اللي قبلو
hedha khiir mel li 9blou
“This one is much better than the previous one.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “khiir” but also “5iir” and “kheir”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 5 is kha (خ), like the ch in Scottish loch.