rjoula رجولة
Tunisian Derja · noun
“rjoula” (رجولة) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning courage, behaviour worthy of a man.
Meanings
- courage, behaviour worthy of a man
- sense of honour, loyalty
Usage
Rjoula refers to the quality expected of a "real man": courage, keeping one's word, a sense of responsibility, protecting one's own. It is used mainly in moral judgements. "Fih rjoula" means "he's a man of his word". "Mouch rjoula" means "that's not worthy". "Na9es rjoula" is a fairly strong reproach. The word concerns behaviour more than physical appearance. For an English speaker, "manliness" is therefore an imperfect equivalent: rjoula is closer to "honour", "integrity" or "having guts". The register is everyday, sometimes emphatic.
Example
الرجولة موش بالعضلات، الرجولة بالكلمة.
erjoula mouch bel 3adhlet, erjoula bel kelma.
“Being a man isn't about muscles, it's about your word.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “rjoula” but also “rjoulia”, “rjoola” and “rojoula”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “rjoula” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “manliness, manly qualities”; “courage, honour”: rjoula in Moroccan.