syed سياد
Tunisian Derja · noun
“syed” (سياد) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning masters, lords.
Meanings
- masters, lords
- one's betters, people of higher standing
Usage
Syed is the plural of sid, "master, lord", also found in sidi. It is used mainly with a possessive: syedek, "your masters", syedna, "our masters". In an argument, the expression serves to put someone in their place: they are reproached for talking about people superior to them. In that case, the word is understood in a moral or social sense rather than as an owner. The register is colloquial and often polemical. Do not confuse this word with sayyed, a religious title in formal register. The form asyed also occurs.
Example
خائن و تهدر على سيادك
5a2in w tehder 3li syedek
“Traitor, and you dare talk about your betters.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “syed” but also “siyed”, “asyed”, “syad” and “esyed”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.