tal طال
Tunisian Derja · verb
“tal” (طال) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to last long, drag on.
Meanings
- to last long, drag on
- to grow longer
Usage
Tal (imperfect ytoul) expresses that something lasts or drags on: tal el wa9t (time has passed), tal el intidhar (the wait has dragged on). It is also said of something that physically gets longer: tal cha3rha (her hair has grown). The construction tal 3lih indicates that time seems long to someone. The formula tal 3omrek (long life to you) is rather Eastern. For "to be late" or "to take a long time", tawwel is mostly used: tawwelt barcha (you took a long time).
Example
طال الوقت وهو ما جاش.
tal el wa9t w howa ma jech.
“Time has dragged on and he still hasn't come.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “tal” but also “tel”, “taal”, “tall” and “tala”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.