to7fa تحفة
Tunisian Derja · noun
“to7fa” (تحفة) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning marvel, masterpiece.
Meanings
- marvel, masterpiece
- superb (as praise)
- quite a character (ironic)
Usage
To7fa originally means a beautiful, precious object. In everyday use, it is mostly an exclamation of admiration. It is applied to a song, a dish, a piece of clothing or a place: to7fa! (superb!). It is also used as a predicate: el film to7fa. The plural is to7af. Depending on tone, the word can become ironic: enti to7fa means "you're quite a character". In that case, it targets a strange or clumsy person. The register is informal and affectionate. The word is common in online comments.
Example
الأغنية هاذي تحفة، سمعتها عشرين مرة
el oghnia hedhi to7fa, sma3tha 3echrin marra
“This song is a marvel, I've listened to it twenty times.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “to7fa” but also “tohfa”, “t7fa” and “tou7fa”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 7 is ha (ح), a breathy h from the throat.