Getting around
مترو
المحطة الجاية.
Next station.
You hear this when the doors close or the next stop is called. It is written down too, so a missed word does not end the ride.
How the language is used
Tunisian Arabic is everyday speech. French is also used in administration and business.
In this city
- Language
- Arabic
- Also heard
- Mostly Arabic
- A local word
- قدّاش — How much is it?
- Writing
- the Arabic script
What people say
Ordinary lines from this city: the ride, the counter, the food, and the greeting.
The counter
مقهى
قهوة.
One coffee, please.
This line is a whole order. You do not need a longer sentence.
Food
إدارة
Bonjour.
Good morning.
The order is built in short pieces like this one.
The street
سوق
قدّاش؟
How much is it?
People keep this line short. It is enough for the moment.
The language through the day
Tunisian Arabic is everyday speech. French is also used in offices and business.
Around the Medina, La Marsa, Avenue Habib Bourguiba, this is the ordinary sound of the day.
A first day in Tunis can run on four lines: “المحطة الجاية.”, “قهوة.”, “Bonjour.”, and “قدّاش؟”. Each one is already a complete moment.
If you are new here
- Stops, prices, and shop signs are written in the Arabic script.
- A greeting comes before the order. A polite request adds a word for please.
- If a spoken line goes past you, read the screen or the board. In Tunis, the stop and the price are written down.
One local word: قدّاش. It means How much is it?.
Places you can see
- Medina — The old city of souks, with the Zitouna Mosque at its centre.
- Bardo Museum — A museum in the Bardo district, famous for Roman mosaics.
- Avenue Habib Bourguiba — The main boulevard, lined with cafés and the cathedral.
Food
Brik, a fried pastry with egg, and couscous with harissa are local plates.
Getting around
A light metro runs in the city, and the TGM train links the centre with the northern coast. You can use either.
Daily life
A shop may greet you in Tunisian Arabic and switch to French for the paperwork.
A few everyday phrases
Arabic
| Phrase | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| مرحبًا | Marḥaban | Hello |
| شكرًا | Shukran | Thank you |
| صباح الخير | Ṣabāḥ al-khayr | Good morning |
| اسمي… | Ismī… | My name is… |
