za3im زعيم
Tunisian Derja · noun
“za3im” (زعيم) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning leader, chief.
Meanings
- leader, chief
- the boss, top dog (slang)
Usage
Za3im literally means a leader, in particular a political leader or the head of a movement. It is applied, for example, to Bourguiba, and one also speaks of the za3im of a party. In colloquial language, it is used for someone who dominates or imposes themselves: "enti z3im" means "you're the boss", in an admiring or ironic tone. It then works as an adjective or a term of address between friends. In football, some supporters use it as a nickname for their club. Whether the tone is flattering or mocking depends a lot on context.
Example
هو الزعيم متاع الحزب
howa ez-za3im mta3 el 7ezb
“He is the party's leader.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “za3im” but also “z3im” and “za3iim”. 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.