nchef نشف

Tunisian Derja · verb

“nchef” (نشف) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to dry, to become dry.

Meanings

1. to dry, to become dry
2. to wither, to become gaunt
3. to freeze up, to go stiff

Usage

Nchef is the intransitive verb "to become dry": laundry, paint, bread, or a mouth drying out. Figuratively, it describes a person who becomes gaunt and weak, especially after an illness, or who freezes up from cold or surprise. The transitive form is nachchef ("to dry, to wipe"): nachchef yeddik, "dry your hands". The adjective is nachef, "dry", which also describes a harsh person or stale bread. Pitfall for an English speaker: nchef is not used for "skipping a class", which is expressed differently. Everyday register, common usage.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “nchef” but also “nchaf”, “nechef” and “nashef”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Type “nchef” on the Arabic keyboard

In Algerian Darja

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Algerian Darja, where it means “to dry, become dry”; “to be worn out from talking”: nchef in Algerian.