kounech كونش
Tunisian Derja · conjunction
“kounech” (كونش) is a conjunction in Tunisian Derja meaning unless, except if.
Meanings
- unless, except if
- if it weren't for, without
Usage
Kounech is a conjunction of spoken Tunisian. It introduces a negative condition: what was just said holds, unless a particular circumstance intervenes. It is often followed by kan ("kounech kan…"), which reinforces the idea of exception. It is also used to evoke a situation that did not happen ("kounech enti…", "without you…"). In discussions it easily takes an ironic or suspicious tone, to hint at a hidden explanation. The register is informal. Do not confuse it with kounou, "if", which is the simple conditional, without negation.
Example
ما يجيش اليوم، كونش كان تكلمو انت.
ma yjich lyoum, kounech ken tkallmou enti.
“He won't come today, unless you call him, you.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “kounech” but also “kounch”, “konch”, “kunech” and “kounich”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.