tdallel تدلل
Tunisian Derja · expression
“tdallel” (تدلل) is an expression in Tunisian Derja meaning as you wish, at your service.
Meanings
- as you wish, at your service
- be pampered, act spoiled
Usage
Tdallel (imperative of tdallel / yetdallel, "to let oneself be spoiled") is used mainly as an accommodating formula: you grant someone's request by telling them, in effect, "ask for whatever you like". Bèhi, tdallel therefore means "okay, as you wish", often in a warm or amused tone, between close people or in shops. As a verb, it also describes someone who lets themselves be pampered or who is being difficult. The register is colloquial and affectionate, with no nuance of submission.
Example
باهي تدلل، تو نجيبهولك
behi tdallel, taw njibhoulek
“Okay, as you wish, I'll bring it to you right away.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “tdallel” but also “tdalel”, “tdalal”, “tdallal” and “tedallel”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.