ratta7 رتح
Tunisian Derja · verb
“ratta7” (رتح) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to rest, relax (someone, the nerves).
Meanings
- to rest, relax (someone, the nerves)
- to rest, calm down
Usage
The verb rattaḥ means "to make rest, to relax". It is mostly heard in the imperative with rouḥ: "rattaḥ rouḥek", meaning "rest", but also "don't tire yourself out" or "forget it". The tone is often ironic, used to tell someone they are hoping in vain. "Rattaḥ ˁaṣābek" means "relax, calm your nerves". The simple form rtaḥ ("he rested") belongs to the same family. Pitfall for an English speaker: "rattaḥ rouḥek" is not always kindly advice. It can be a curt way of cutting someone short. Informal register.
Example
رتّح روحك، الخدمة كمْلت.
ratta7 rou7ek, el khedma kmlet.
“Take a rest, the work is done.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “ratta7” but also “rata7”, “ratah” and “rte7”. 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.