mmathel ممثل
Tunisian Derja · noun
“mmathel” (ممثل) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning actor, performer.
Meanings
- actor, performer
- representative, delegate
Usage
Mmathel primarily means an actor, in film, theatre or Ramadan TV serials; the feminine is mmathla (actress). In a more formal register, especially in the media and in administration, the same word means representative: mmathel 3al wizara (a representative of the ministry). The usual plural is mmathlin. Context is generally enough to tell the two senses apart. To talk about a role played, people say l3ab dawr (he played the role of). The French word "acteur" is also often used in conversation.
Example
هو ممثل معروف، يلعب في المسلسلات متاع رمضان.
howa mmathel ma3rouf, yel3ab fel mousalsalet mta3 ramdhan.
“He's a well-known actor; he acts in the Ramadan serials.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “mmathel” but also “momathel”, “moumathel”, “mmathil” and “momatel”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.