“Mean” (behaviour) in Tunisian Arabic

In Tunisian Arabic, “Mean” (the adjective, in the singular form) is written using the Latin script as:

(m) 9lil la7ye

(f) 9lilet la7ye

Using the Arabic script, it is written as:

قليل الحياة (m)

قليلة الحياة (f)

In Tunisian Arabic, “Mean” (the adjective, in the plural form) is written using the Latin script as:

9lel la7ye

Using the Arabic script, it is written as:

قلال الحياة

Listen to these three terms pronounced (audio)

 

Examples in sentences or statements

 
“He was being mean.”

Ken 9lil la7ye.

.كان قليل الحياة

 
“Quit being mean to your sister!”

Yezzi m 9elet la7ye m3a okhtek!

!يزي من قلة الحياة مع أختك

 
“Why are you being mean?”

Chbik 9lil la7ye?

شبيك قليل الحياة؟

 
“I’m not being mean. I’m being honest.”

Menich 9lil la7ye. Wallah.

.مانيش قليل الحياة. والله

 
“She was being mean to her friend but they are fine now.”

Kent 9lilet 7ye m3a sa7betha ama tawa jawhom behi.

.كانت قليلة الحياة مع صاحبتها أما توا جوهم باهي