nouma نومة
Tunisian Derja · noun
“nouma” (نومة) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning a sleep, way of sleeping.
Meanings
- a sleep, way of sleeping
- a nap
Usage
Nouma is the singulative noun derived from noum (sleep). It refers to an episode of sleep or its quality, and is often accompanied by an adjective: nouma hènya (a peaceful sleep), nouma behya (a good night's sleep). A very common expression: fi sèbe3 nouma, "in its seventh sleep", for someone sleeping deeply. It can also refer to a short nap one allows oneself, especially in the afternoon. The register is familiar and neutral. Do not confuse it with noum, which means sleep in general.
Example
كان في سابع نومة كيف جيت
kén fi sebe3 nouma kif jit
“He was sound asleep when I arrived.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “nouma” but also “nooma”, “nouuma”, “nowma” and “noma”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.