lin لين
Tunisian Derja · conjunction
“lin” (لين) is a conjunction in Tunisian Derja meaning until.
Meanings
- until
- by the time, till
Usage
Lin introduces a clause meaning "until". It is often reinforced with 7atta: 7atta lin. It takes a verb in the imperfect: stanna lin yji, "wait until he comes". It is very common in recipes and instructions: 9alli lin yo7mar, "fry until golden". Lin belongs to the everyday register, and 7atta alone or 7atta li are also heard. Do not confuse it with the standard Arabic word layyin, "soft, supple".
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “lin” but also “leen” and “lyn”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.