mektoub مكتوب
Tunisian Derja · adjective
“mektoub” (مكتوب) is an adjective in Tunisian Derja meaning written, inscribed.
Meanings
- written, inscribed
- fate, destiny (noun)
Usage
Mektoub is first of all the passive participle of "kteb" (to write): "mektoub 3al bab" (it is written on the door). It is widely used in the sense of "destiny": "hedha mektoubi" (this is my destiny), "el mektoub" (fate). It is said to accept an event, happy or unhappy, often with resignation. The expression "mektoub bel khayeb" means "written crookedly, badly written", or else an unfavourable fate. French has borrowed "mektoub", but in Tunisian the literal sense of "written" remains the most frequent in everyday life.
Example
الاسم مكتوب غالط في الورقة.
el esm mektoub ghalet fel war9a.
“The name is written wrong on the paper.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “mektoub” but also “maktoub”, “mektub” and “maktoob”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.