t9atta3 تقطع
Tunisian Derja · verb
“t9atta3” (تقطع) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to break, to snap, to tear.
Meanings
- to break, to snap, to tear
- to be cut off, to be interrupted
- (heart) to break with grief
Usage
Tqatta3 is the reflexive or passive form of qatta3, "to cut into pieces, to tear". It is used for an object that snaps or breaks: el 7bal tqatta3, "the rope gave way". It is also said of a key or a piece of clothing that tears, and of a network or a call that is cut off. Figuratively, qalbi tqatta3 expresses intense sorrow or pity. Note that the same Arabic spelling can be read taqta3, "you cut" or "she cuts", from the verb qta3. Only context distinguishes the two readings.
Example
الحبل تقطّع
el 7bal tqatta3
“The rope snapped.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “t9atta3” but also “tqatta3”, “t9ata3”, “tkatta3” and “t9atte3”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent; 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.