khzar خزر
Tunisian Derja · verb
“khzar” (خزر) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to look (at).
Meanings
- to look (at)
- to give a pointed look
Usage
Khzar is the usual verb for "to look" in Tunisian, with the imperfect ykhozr. The person or thing looked at is introduced by l- or li: khzar lih, "he looked at him"; khzar l-el-ktab, "he looked at the book". It expresses a deliberate, one-off look, often loaded with meaning depending on context: reproach, complicity or a simple glance. The imperative ikhzar, "look!", is also used to get someone's attention. Do not confuse it with chef, "to see", which refers more to perception.
Example
خزرلي وما قال شي
khzarli w ma 9al chay
“He looked at me and said nothing.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “khzar” but also “5zar” and “khzer”. 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.