thamma ثما
Tunisian Derja · particle
“thamma” (ثما) is a particle in Tunisian Derja meaning there is, there are.
Meanings
- there is, there are
Usage
Thamma, more often pronounced and written famma, is the Tunisian word for "there is". It does not conjugate: "famma barcha nes" (there are a lot of people). The negative is formed with "ma famma chay" or "mafamech" (there is not). For a question, say "famma?" or "fammech?" (is there?). In the past, add "ken": "ken famma". The th spelling reflects the pronunciation of some regions or a spelling closer to Standard Arabic; in most cities, one hears famma.
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “thamma” but also “thama”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.