wliyya ولية
Tunisian Derja · noun
“wliyya” (ولية) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning woman, lady.
Meanings
- woman, lady
- wife
- female saint (wliyya sal7a)
Usage
Wliyya refers to an adult woman, often with a nuance of respect: "wliyya mezyena" (a good, honest woman). In popular speech it can also mean the wife. In religious vocabulary, "wliyya sal7a" is a revered female saint. It also appears in blessing formulas addressed to women. Everyday register, somewhat traditional. Note: in other dialects, notably Egyptian, the word can be derogatory; in Tunisia it is generally neutral or positive.
Example
هي ولية مزيانة وتحب الخير للناس.
hiya wliyya mezyena w t7eb el khir lennes.
“She's a good woman and wishes people well.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “wliyya” but also “wliya”, “wleya”, “wlia” and “wlya”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.