madhoun مدهون
Tunisian Derja · adjective
“madhoun” (مدهون) is an adjective in Tunisian Derja meaning smeared, coated, greased.
Meanings
- smeared, coated, greased
- painted (wall, object)
Usage
Madhoun is the participle of dhen, "to coat, to spread, to paint". It is built with b-: madhoun bel zebda, "spread with butter". The saying kalem el lil madhoun bel zebda, tetla3 3lih ech-chams ydhoub is very well known. It means that promises made in the evening melt like butter at sunrise. People repeat it ironically about political promises. For a painted wall, madhoun is also used. The feminine is madhouna.
Example
الخبزة مدهونة بالزبدة والعسل.
el khobza madhouna bel zebda wel 3sal.
“The bread is spread with butter and honey.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “madhoun” but also “medhoun” and “mad-houn”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.