mahkoum محكوم
Tunisian Derja · adjective
“mahkoum” (محكوم) is an adjective in Tunisian Derja meaning ruled, under the control of.
Meanings
- ruled, under the control of
- sentenced (in court)
- forced, obliged
Usage
Mahkoum describes someone or something that is under another's authority. It is often used critically, for example of a country seen as dependent on foreign powers: "mahkoum fih" ("run from outside"). In a legal context it means "sentenced": "mahkoum 3lih b 3am habs" ("sentenced to one year in prison"). In everyday life, "ena mahkoum" means "I have no choice", "I'm bound by circumstances". The feminine is mahkouma.
Example
ما نجمش نخرج، أنا محكوم بالخدمة
ma nejjemch nokhrej, ena mahkoum bel khedma
“I can't go out, I'm tied up with work.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “mahkoum” but also “ma7koum” and “mehkoum”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 7 is ha (ح), a breathy h from the throat.