n9ez نقز
Tunisian Derja · verb
“n9ez” (نقز) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to jump, to leap.
Meanings
- to jump, to leap
- to jump over, to clear
Usage
The verb nguez (or n9ez) is the usual word for "to jump" in Tunisia. It is used for a jump on the spot, from the top of something (nguez mel fou9, "he jumped from above") or over an obstacle. In the present tense, you say yongoz, and the imperative is ongoz! ("jump!"). The corresponding noun is nagza, "a jump". It is also found figuratively for someone who reacts sharply or startles. The letter written 9 or g corresponds to the qaf, pronounced "g" in many regions.
Example
الصغير نقز من فوق الحيط.
essghir nguez men fou9 el 7it.
“The little one jumped off the top of the wall.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “n9ez” but also “nguez”, “nagez”, “n9az” and “ngaz”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.
Type “n9ez” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “to jump, leap”; “to skip, jump over (a part)”: n99ez in Moroccan.
In Algerian Darja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Algerian Darja, where it means “to jump, leap”; “to jump for joy, hop around”: nagez in Algerian.