nta7ar نتحر
Tunisian Derja · verb
“nta7ar” (نتحر) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to commit suicide, to take one's own life.
Meanings
- to commit suicide, to take one's own life
Usage
Nta7ar is the common term in Tunisia for "to commit suicide". It is heard in conversations, news items and the media. It conjugates like a regular verb: nta7ar (he committed suicide), nta7ret (she committed suicide), yenta7er (he commits suicide). The corresponding noun is nti7ar (suicide). It is a grave word, not used jokingly. To speak of it more discreetly, indirect phrases like "qtal rou7ou" (he killed himself) are often preferred. It is often followed by an expression of compassion such as "rabbi yar7mou".
Example
الجيران قالو اللي ولدهم نتحر، ربي يرحمو.
ljirèn galou elli wledhom nta7ar, rabbi yar7mou.
“The neighbors said their son committed suicide, may God have mercy on him.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “nta7ar” but also “ntahar”, “inta7ar”, “nte7er” and “intahar”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 7 is ha (ح), a breathy h from the throat.