si سي
Tunisian Derja · noun
“si” (سي) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning Mr (before a first name).
Meanings
- Mr (before a first name)
- title of respect
Usage
Si is placed before a man's first name to show respect: "si Mohamed", "si el Hédi". This usage is very Tunisian. It is used to address an elder, a teacher, a customer or a stranger. It is also found in "ya si" to call out to someone. The title is polite but familiar, less solemn than sayed. Depending on the tone, it can also become ironic. For a woman, say "lella" or "madame" instead. It should not be used on its own without a first name, except in "ya si".
Example
يا سي الهادي، الكرهبة متاعك حاضرة
ya si el hedi, el karhba mte3ek 7adhra
“Mr. Hédi, your car is ready.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “si” but also “sy” and “ssi”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “si” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “Mr. (title before a first name)”; “sir (when addressing someone)”: si in Moroccan.
In Algerian Darja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Algerian Darja, where it means “mister (title before a first name)”: si in Algerian.