marrtin مرتين
Tunisian Derja · adverb
“marrtin” (مرتين) is an adverb in Tunisian Derja meaning twice.
Meanings
- twice
- twice as much
Usage
Marrtin is the dual of marra (once) and means "twice". It is very common for frequency: "marrtin fil jem3a" (twice a week), "marrtin fin nhar" (twice a day, for example for a medicine). From three onwards, the plural is used: "tleth marrat". In a comparison, it means "twice as much": "akbar marrtin" (twice as big). When asking for repetition, people also say "3awed" (do it again) rather than this word. It is one of the few duals still alive in Tunisian, along with, for example, youmin (two days).
Example
نمشي للسبور مرتين في الجمعة.
nemchi lel sport marrtin fil jem3a.
“I go to the gym twice a week.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “marrtin” but also “martin”, “marten” and “marrten”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.