wassa3 وسع
Tunisian Derja · verb
“wassa3” (وسع) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to widen, enlarge a space.
Meanings
- to widen, enlarge a space
- to move over, make room
- to be patient (wassa3 bélek)
Usage
Wassa3 means to make wider: to widen a road, enlarge a room or a garment. In the imperative, "wassa3!" or "wassa3 chwaya" is used to ask someone to move over or let you through, on a bus or in a queue. The very common expression "wassa3 bélek" means "be patient, calm down, take your time". It is addressed to someone who is irritated or in a hurry. The feminine is "wass3i bélek" and the plural "wass3ou bélkom". The reflexive form "twassa3" means to become wider, or to be comfortable.
Example
وسع بالك، توا يجي.
wassa3 bélek, taw yji.
“Be patient, he'll be here any minute.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “wassa3” but also “wase3”, “wassaa” and “wasa3”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent.
Type “wassa3” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “to widen, to enlarge”; “to be patient, calm down”: wsse3 in Moroccan.
In Algerian Darja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Algerian Darja, where it means “widen, enlarge”; “grant ease, relieve”: wessa3 in Algerian.