mena منا
Tunisian Derja · adverb
“mena” (منا) is an adverb in Tunisian Derja meaning this way, over here.
Meanings
- this way, over here
Usage
Mena means "this way" or "on this side". It indicates a passage or direction close to the speaker: "t3adda mena" (go through this way). It contrasts with mel ghadi (over there). The expression "dekhel mena, khârej mel ghadi", literally "it goes in here and comes out over there", corresponds to "in one ear and out the other". It is doubled to express hesitation or indecision: "mena walla mena?" (this way or this way?). It should not be confused with minna (from us), which is written the same way in Arabic.
Example
إمشي منا، الطريق هاذي أقرب.
emchi mena, ettri9 hedhi a9reb.
“Go this way, this road is shorter.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “mena” but also “mna”, “menna” and “minna”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.