mechkom مشكم
Tunisian Derja · particle
“mechkom” (مشكم) is a particle in Tunisian Derja meaning you (pl.) are not (negation).
Meanings
- you (pl.) are not (negation)
- aren't you (pl.)…? (question)
Usage
Mechkom is formed from the negation mech ("not") and the suffix -kom ("you"). It negates a state or intention before an adjective or participle: mechkom nawin, mechkom mghroumin. It is very often used in questions, with the sense of "aren't you going to…?" or "so you're not…?". It is not used before a conjugated verb: there, ma… ch is used instead. Depending on the person, one says mechni (I am not), mechek (you are not), mechou (he is not), etc. The forms mouchkom and matkomch are also heard depending on region and speaker.
Example
مشكم جايين الليلة؟
mechkom jeyin ellila?
“Aren't you (pl.) coming tonight?”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “mechkom” but also “mochkom”, “mechkoum” and “mouchkom”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.