lech لاش
Tunisian Derja · adverb
“lech” (لاش) is an adverb in Tunisian Derja meaning why.
Meanings
- why
- what for
Usage
Lech is the common interrogative for "why" in Tunisian. It goes at the start of the sentence: lech ma jitech ? ("why didn't you come?"). It is equivalent to 3lech, which is also very common, the difference being mainly regional or a matter of habit. In a rhetorical question, it often takes the sense of "what for, why on earth" and expresses a reproach or a challenge. Lech jaybinhom ? thus means "why bring them?". The expected answer usually begins with 5ater ("because").
Example
لاش ما كلمتنيش البارح؟
lech ma kallemtnich el bera7 ?
“Why didn't you call me yesterday?”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “lech” but also “lach”, “lèch”, “lesh” and “lash”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “lech” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “why”; “for what, what for”: lach in Moroccan.