kthar كثر
Tunisian Derja · verb
“kthar” (كثر) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to increase, become numerous.
Meanings
- to increase, become numerous
- to abound, be excessive
Usage
Kthar or kther expresses that something becomes more numerous or more abundant. The subject often comes after the verb: kethret el karhbet (the cars have multiplied). With 3la, it means that something comes to someone in abundance: kthar 3lih el khir (he got a lot of good things). It can also suggest excess: kthar el klem (there has been too much talking). The intensive form kaththar means "to do a lot, to multiply", for example kaththar mel mekla (to eat too much). To simply say "a lot", barcha is generally used instead.
Example
كثرت الكراهب في الثنية الصيف هذا.
kethret el kraheb fel thniya es-saif hedha.
“Cars have multiplied on the road this summer.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “kthar” but also “kther”, “kthor”, “kother” and “ktar”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.