tnich تنش
Tunisian Derja · verb
“tnich” (تنش) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to shoo away, drive off (flies, animals).
Meanings
- to shoo away, drive off (flies, animals)
- to do nothing, have no customers (nach fi edhebben)
Usage
The verb nach / ynich means to shoo away with a gesture, especially flies or animals. The form tnich corresponds to "she shoos away" or "you shoo away". The fixed expression "ynich fi edhebben", literally "shooing the flies", is very common and ironic. It describes someone who is idle, or a shopkeeper with no customers. The passive yetnach (to be driven away) is also used, for example for a place from which one is pushed out. The expression should not be taken literally: it evokes boredom and lack of activity.
Example
الحانوت فارغ، قاعد ننش في الذبان
el 7anout fergha, 9a3ed nnich fi edhebben
“The shop is empty, I'm shooing flies (I have nothing to do).”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “tnich” but also “tnech”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.