sfar صفار

Tunisian Derja · noun

“sfar” (صفار) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning pallor, pale complexion.

Meanings

1. pallor, pale complexion
2. egg yolk

Usage

Sfar refers to the colour yellow, and above all to a pale face. The typical expression is "wejhou sfar": his complexion is pale, often because of illness, fear or shame. It is also used to mock someone who has been caught out. In cooking, "sfar el 3adhma" or simply "sfar" means the egg yolk, as opposed to "byadh" (the white). The adjective "yellow" is "asfar", feminine "safra". Do not confuse sfar with "safar", travel.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “sfar” but also “sfer”, “sfaar” and “sffar”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Type “sfar” on the Arabic keyboard

In Moroccan Darija

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “to turn yellow”; “to turn pale (face)”: sfar in Moroccan.