A study: “Why” in Tunisian Arabic

This article will examine the word “Why” in Tunisian Arabic. It is part of the study series that Ithaca Bound Languages is conducting. If you wish to read a related article there is the article A study: “What” in Tunisian Arabic.

In Tunisian Arabic, Why is translated as: 3lech / علاش. Some use the word 3leh / علاه. The latter, 3leh, is considered an abbreviation of 3lech and both words are synonymous with each other. (It hasn’t been noted that the difference in use between the two words is regional / sub-dialectal, but instead, is based on the preference of the speaker)

A note that 3lech / علاش and 3leh / علاه are clear departures from their Standard Arabic (Fos7a / فصحى) counterpart: In Fos7a Why is: Limedha / لماذا.

IBL Contributor, Aroua F., pronounces both 3lech and 3leh:

3lech

3leh

At this time the origins of 3lech / علاش and what it may allude to at its roots aren’t clear. Given that the word isn’t based on Fos7a it is plausible that the word is indigenous to the Maghrebi region of Africa.

Chbi- series of words

Alternative to 3lech / علاش, another way someone can express Why is through the Chbi- series of words. This prefix stands for: Ch- is condensed for the word Chnowa /شنوة (“What”) + the preposition b / ب (“With”).

This series is often used in more of a sudden / statement-like situation. (Like in the statement “Why did you say that to your sister?”) But it doesn’t mean that it wouldn’t be suitable to use 3lech in such a situation either.

Chbi- conjugates through the subjects. They are:

(I) Chbini / شبيني

(You) Chbik / شبيك

(You, plural) Chbikom / شبيكم

(He) Chbih / شبيه

(She) Chbeha / شبيها

(We) Chbina / شبينا

(They) Chbihom / شبيهم

Aroua pronounces the above series:

3lech & Chbi- in statements

This section lists out five Why-examples with their Tunisian Arabic translations in both 3lech / علاش and Chbi- / –شبي.

Why are they closed?

• 3lech msakrin? / علاش مسكرين؟
• Chbihom msakrin? / شبيهم مسكرين؟

Why weren’t you on time?

• 3lech majitech fel wa9t? / علاش مجيتش في الوقت؟
• Chbik majitech fel wa9t? / شبيك مجيتش في الوقت؟

Why did he say that?

• 3lech 9al hakeka? / علاش قال هكاكا؟
  
• Chbih 9al hakeka? / شبيه قال هكاكا؟

Why did she turn the music up?

• 3lech 9awet fel mouzika? / علاش قوّات في الموزيكا؟
• Chbeha 9awet fel mouzika? / شبيها قوّات في الموزيكا؟

Why were you two late getting home?

• 3lech rawa7tou makher? / علاش روّحتو مخّر؟
• Chbikom rawa7tou makher? / شبيكم روّحتو مخّر؟

Bonus example

(the effort is made but the game isn’t appearing) Why isn’t the game on?

• Winou match? / وينو الماتش؟
  

In this bonus sixth example, we included a Why-type statement in English that when translated into Tunisian Arabic the Why is replaced with Winou which means “Where” in the masculine form. This statement is effective saying, “Where is the game?”

In closing

Being able to communicate Why-type statements will expand your ability to speak and write in Tunisian Arabic. In addition to the  article on What which was provided at the start of this article, other articles you may find valuable in the IBL Study series is: A study: “Not” in Tunisian Arabic and A study: “No” in Tunisian Arabic. And if you wish to deep-dive a large topic on Tunisian Arabic there is the IBL guide: How verbs function in Tunisian Arabic. (premium content)

As always, we wish you a marvellous journey!