wa9a7a وقاحة
Tunisian Derja · noun
“wa9a7a” (وقاحة) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning insolence, impudence.
Meanings
- insolence, impudence
- cheek, shamelessness
Usage
Wa9a7a means insolence: speaking or acting without respect or restraint. The word comes from Standard Arabic and belongs to a somewhat formal register: it is found mostly in commentary, debates and the media, often in the phrase "b kol wa9a7a" (with all the insolence in the world, without any embarrassment). In informal speech, people more often say "qellet 7ya" (lack of modesty) or "s7a wejh" (cheek). The word carries a clear moral judgement: it describes behaviour regarded as shocking, not simple boldness.
Example
يحكي بوقاحة مع الناس الكبار
y7ki b wa9a7a m3a ennes lkbar
“He speaks insolently to older people.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “wa9a7a” but also “wakaha”, “wa9aha”, “waqaha” and “wa9a7”. 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; 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.