tjem تجم
Tunisian Derja · verb
“tjem” (تجم) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning you can, she can.
Meanings
- you can, she can
- to be able to
Usage
Tjem is a contracted form of tnajjem ("you can" or "she can"), from the verb najjem, "to be able to". The contraction is common in fast speech, especially in the negative ma tjemch ("you can't", "she can't"). The verb is followed by another conjugated verb, with no infinitive: tjem tji, "you can come". The prefix t- covers both "you" and "she", and only context tells them apart. Not to be confused with the acronym TGM, the name of the train line in Tunis's northern suburbs.
Example
تجم تجي غدوة؟
tjem tji ghodwa?
“Can you come tomorrow?”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “tjem” but also “tjm” and “tgm”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.