msamer مسمر
Tunisian Derja · adjective
“msamer” (مسمر) is an adjective in Tunisian Derja meaning rooted to the spot.
Meanings
- rooted to the spot
- nailed, fixed with nails
Usage
Msamer is the participle of samer (to nail), formed on mesmar (nail). Literally, it describes an object fixed with nails. It is mostly used figuratively for someone who stays frozen, motionless, out of shock, fear or anticipation. It often follows the verbs 9a3ed or we9ef: 9a3ed msamer fi blastou (stuck in his place). It can also describe someone glued to the TV or screen for hours, with an ironic nuance. The feminine is msamra, the plural msamrin.
Example
قعد مسمّر قدّام التلفزة لين كمل الماتش.
9a3ed msamer 9odem e-talfza lin kmel el match.
“He stayed nailed in front of the TV until the match was over.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “msamer” but also “msammer”, “msamar” and “msemmer”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.