tefeha تفاهة
Tunisian Derja · noun
“tefeha” (تفاهة) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning triviality, insignificance.
Meanings
- triviality, insignificance
- nonsense, silly talk
- mediocrity, vulgarity (shows, content)
Usage
A word borrowed from the literary Arabic register but very present in speech and especially in online comments. It refers to what is hollow, without value or interest. In the plural, "tefehet" refers to silly remarks or acts: "ya7ki tefehet" (he talks nonsense). It is often used to criticize television shows or social media, sometimes together with "9illet 7ya" (lack of modesty). The nuance is more contemptuous than English "triviality": it comes closer to "worthlessness" or "stupidity". The corresponding adjective is "tefeh".
Example
ماحناش ناقصين كانش بورڨيبا يحكي تفاهات ,
ma7nesh ne9sin canich bourghiba ya7ki tefehet ,
“That's all we needed, Bourguiba talking nonsense.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “tefeha” but also “tafeha”, “tefaha”, “tafaha” and “tfeha”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.