satar ستر
Tunisian Derja · verb
“satar” (ستر) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to cover up, keep quiet about.
Meanings
- to cover up, keep quiet about
- to protect someone's honor
- to cover, hide (a body)
Usage
Satar (imperfect yostor) means to cover, both literally and figuratively. It is used above all for discretion: keeping quiet about someone else's fault, "satar 3lih" (he covered for him). "Satar bent ennes" means to protect a young woman's honor, notably by marrying her. The verb appears often in set phrases: "Rabbi yostor" (may God protect us), "ostor ma starrabbi" (be discreet). These uses carry a strong moral and religious value.
Example
ستر عليه وما قال لحد
satar 3lih w ma 9al l7ad
“He covered for him and told no one.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “satar” but also “stor”, “sattar” and “yostor”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.