slema سلامة
Tunisian Derja · noun
“slema” (سلامة) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning safety, being safe and sound.
Meanings
- safety, being safe and sound
- health, good recovery
- greeting (in 3a slema)
Usage
Slema means being unharmed and out of danger: el mohem es-slema ("the main thing is to be safe and sound"), said after an accident or a scare. With a possessive, slemtek is addressed to a sick person to wish them a speedy recovery. The reply is Allah ysalmek. The phrase 3a slema (or 3la slema) is a familiar greeting, often used to welcome someone back from a trip; it is a bit like "welcome back" or "hi". In a technical context, 7zam es-slema means "seat belt". Slama is also a common family name.
Example
صارتلو كسيدة أما الحمد لله، المهم السلامة.
sarettlou ksida ama el7amdoulah, el mohem es-slema.
“He had an accident, but thank God, the main thing is that he's safe and sound.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “slema” but also “salama”, “slama”, “slèma” and “slemaa”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “slema” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “safety, being safe and sound”; “welcome back (greeting formula)”: slama in Moroccan.
In Algerian Darja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Algerian Darja, where it means “safety, being safe and sound”; “safe journey, safe arrival”: slama in Algerian.