lezem لازم
Tunisian Derja · expression
“lezem” (لازم) is an expression in Tunisian Derja meaning must, have to.
Meanings
- must, have to
- necessary, obligatory
Usage
Lezem expresses obligation. It is invariable and placed before a verb conjugated in the present: « lezem tefhem » (you must understand). With a suffix, it indicates the person concerned: « lezmek » (you must, you need), « lezmni » (I need). In the negative, « mouch lezem » means "no need, it's not compulsory". It is not a prohibition. Used alone, « lezem ! » means "absolutely!". The word belongs to the everyday register and is used in all contexts.
Example
لازم تغزر ال قدّام ,
lezem to8zor el 9oddem ,
“You have to look ahead.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “lezem” but also “lazem”, “lzem”, “lezm”, “lazm” and “lazzem”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.