sa9sa سقصى
Tunisian Derja · verb
“sa9sa” (سقصى) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to ask, to ask a question.
Meanings
- to ask, to ask a question
- to ask after someone
- to inquire about
Usage
Very common verb in Tunisia for "to ask a question". It conjugates sa9sa, sa9sit ("I asked"), with imperative sa9si. The person being asked is a direct object: sa9sih, "ask him". The topic of the question is introduced with 3la: sa9sit 3lik, "I asked after you" or "I inquired about you". Pitfall for an English speaker: sa9sa is not used to ask for an object or a favor; in that case use tlab or another verb. Register is neutral and familiar, used everywhere in daily life. The word is also written سقسى.
Example
سقصيت عليك البارح
sa9sit 3lik lbare7
“I asked after you yesterday.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “sa9sa” but also “saksa”, “sa9ssa”, “sakssa” and “sa9si”. 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.
Type “sa9sa” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “to ask a question”; “to inquire, find out”: s9sa in Moroccan.