mendila منديلة
Tunisian Derja · noun
“mendila” (منديلة) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning doily, small tablecloth.
Meanings
- doily, small tablecloth
- cloth, napkin
Usage
Mendila is a small square of cloth placed on a piece of furniture to protect or decorate it. One speaks of mendila mta3 tawla, on the table, or mendilet el-bureau, on the desk. Depending on context, the word can also mean a napkin or a household cloth. It is close to mendil, which rather refers to a headscarf or handkerchief. Don't mistake it for a 'mandoline'. It is a familiar word of everyday home life.
Example
حطّ المنديلة على الطاولة قبل ما تحط الصينية.
7ott el mendila 3la tawla 9bal ma t7ott essniya.
“Put the doily on the table before you set the tray down.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “mendila” but also “mandila”, “mendilla” and “mondila”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.