masi7i مسيحي
Tunisian Derja · noun
“masi7i” (مسيحي) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning Christian (person).
Meanings
- Christian (person)
- relating to Christianity
Usage
Masi7i is used as a noun and as an adjective for a person of the Christian faith or anything relating to Christianity. The feminine is masi7iya and the plural is masi7iyin. It is the neutral, respectful term. In Derja, one also hears nsrani, which is more colloquial and older, and whose connotation varies with tone and context. Masi7i is also used ironically for someone who does not practise: masi7i bel esm, "Christian in name only". It also serves as an adjective in phrases such as el 3id el masi7i, "the Christian feast".
Example
جارنا مسيحي و ناس ملاح برشا.
jarna masi7i w nes mla7 barcha.
“Our neighbour is Christian, they are very nice people.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “masi7i” but also “massihi”, “mase7i”, “messi7i” and “masihi”. 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.