rof9a رفقة
Tunisian Derja · preposition
“rof9a” (رفقة) is a preposition in Tunisian Derja meaning in company of, with.
Meanings
- in company of, with
- company, act of accompanying
Usage
Used mainly in a formal or journalistic register, in writing, and on Tunisian radio and television: "rof9a 3ayeltou" (with his family), "rof9a el monta5ab". It is the exact equivalent of "in the company of". In everyday conversation, people rather say "m3a" (with). As a noun, it refers to being together or accompanying someone, in "fi rof9et", and it is related to "rfi9" (friend, companion). You will hear it a lot in the media, but using it among friends can sound stiff.
Example
جا رفقة صاحبو للعرس.
ja rof9a sa7bou lel 3ers.
“He came to the wedding with his friend.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “rof9a” but also “rif9a”, “refka”, “rofka” and “rfa9a”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.