rhif رهيف
Tunisian Derja · adjective
“rhif” (رهيف) is an adjective in Tunisian Derja meaning sensitive, tender-hearted.
Meanings
- sensitive, tender-hearted
- thin, fine (fabric, paper)
Usage
Rhif first describes what is thin, light, not thick: a fabric, a paper, a dough. Its most common use is however figurative, in the expression "galbou rhif" (his heart is sensitive): it describes a person who is easily moved, cries quickly or takes offense at little. The tone is often affectionate, sometimes slightly teasing. The feminine is rhifa. Note: applied to a person without "galb", it does not mean physically thin; for that one says "dh'3if" instead.
Example
ما تقلّقهاش، قلبها رهيف وتبكي بالفيسع.
ma t9alla9hech, galbha rhif w tebki bel fisa3.
“Don't upset her, she has a sensitive heart and cries quickly.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “rhif” but also “rhiif”, “rhef” and “rheef”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.