makhdoum مخدوم
Tunisian Derja · adjective
“makhdoum” (مخدوم) is an adjective in Tunisian Derja meaning worked, made, done.
Meanings
- worked, made, done
- carefully made, well prepared
Usage
Makhdoum is the passive participle of khdem (to work, to make). It describes an object, a dish or a piece of work according to how it was made: makhdoum mli7 (well made), mouch makhdoum mli7 (badly made, sloppy). It is often heard about crafts, sewing, cooking or work done on a house. On its own, makhdoum can already suggest careful work. The feminine is makhdouma and the plural is makhdoumin. Note: it does not mean "employed" in the sense of having a job. For that, one says "yekhdem" instead.
Example
الجبة هاذي مخدومة باليد، مخدومة مليح برشا.
el jebba hedhi makhdouma bel yed, makhdouma mli7 barcha.
“This jebba is handmade, it is very well made.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “makhdoum” but also “mekhdoum”, “ma5doum”, “makhdoom” and “m5doum”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 5 is kha (خ), like the ch in Scottish loch.