mami مامي
Tunisian Derja · noun
“mami” (مامي) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning mom, mommy (affectionate).
Meanings
- mom, mommy (affectionate)
- sweetie, darling (to a child)
Usage
Mami is an informal, affectionate word for referring to or calling one's mother, like mama. It is used mainly within the family, often as a form of address: "ya mami". As with "mommy" in English, a mother can also use it tenderly to address her child, boy or girl, in the sense of "my darling". The register is intimate; in a neutral or formal context, you say ommi or el walda instead. Pitfall: Mami is also a Tunisian surname, for example in the name of the Abderrahmane Mami hospital in Ariana. It should then be read as a proper name.
Example
مامي، وقتاش نتعشاو؟
mami, waqtech net3achaw?
“Mom, when are we having dinner?”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “mami” but also “mamy” and “mamie”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.