About Tunisia | Language

Arabic is the official language of Tunisia, yet after independence former President Habib Bourguiba made French the second language. Today french is the language of commerce and can be expected to be commonly used throughout Tunisia. In parts of the traditional south, however, you'll find that many Tunisians will not speak french.

Many french words have cemented into the common arabic. For example, the months of the year are in french, as well as common greetings like "Ca va?" and words like "D'accord" and "Bon!".

 

Key words

Inchallah God Willing
Asslemma Hello (welcome)
Beslemma Goodbye
Rabi Berek Fik God blesses you / thanks you
Barka lahw fik thank you formal
Shukran thank you informal
Affuan you're welcome
Aayshek May you have a long life, used for "thank you and "you're welcome"

Phrases for meetings and general discussion

Hello how are you? Asslemma eshna ahwelek?

Are you doing well? La bess aleek?

What's up? W'ehn ik?

God Willing! Inshallah!

I am very sorry Samahni

How old are you? Kdish omrek?

Where are you going? Wen meshi?

What time is it? Gdish el waket?

Thank you! Aayshek

 

Phrases for the hotel and restaurant

Is this table reserved? Ettawla hethi mahjouza?

May I please have a menu. Atini el menu aaychik.

I would like a bottle of water. Brabi Atini dabooza meh.

I want another plate. Zidni sahan theni.

The lunch is delicious. El ftour bnin barcha barcha.

Please give us two cups of coffee with milk. Khouyeh, brabbi atina zouz kahawi bel halib.

How much must i pay? Kdish yelzemni nkhallas?

Give me the key of the room. Atini mefteh el bit.

What are you drinking? Wash toshreb?

What are you eating? Wash tekil?

 

Phrases for the souk

How much do these shoes coast? Bkdish essabat?

It’s very expensive. Ghali barcha.

Can you cut down the price? Tejm tnaks fi soum?

Do you have anything else? Mandiksh haja okhra?

I want to buy this shirt. Nheb neshri el marioul hetha.

 

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