The letter “C” in Tunisian Arabic

This article will study and analyze the letter “C” in Tunisian Arabic. (For past IBL articles that are similar in nature here are the articles: The letter “A” in Tunisian Arabic and The letter “B” in Tunisian Arabic)

Tunisian Arabic commonly exists in two scripts: The Latin script and the Arabic script. (This is explained more in the IBL article: What is Tunisian Arabic?)

In Tounsi, the letter C can appear in the Arabic script in different forms depending on what the C is combined with (e.g., “ch”), where it exists in a word, or if its origins are Arabic, French or English.

C at the start of a word

In Tunisian Arabic, if the letter C is at the start of word it will be represented with the Arabic letter ك if the word has French origins and the letter ش if it has Arabic origins.

Here are three Tounsi words that have French origins:

• Crème / كرام — Cream (as in the substance usually used on the body (Cream that is eaten in Tunisian Arabic is Krima / كريمة)
• Crepe / كراب — Crepe (as in the food)
• Couette / كوات — Blanket

IBL Contributor, Aroua F. pronounces Crème, Crepe & Couette:

(In the Arabic script, the letter ك changes shape based on if it’s at the start, somewhere in the middle, or at the end of a word. In the three examples above the first letter is the letter ك (most contemporary software programs that provide the Arabic alphabet automatically re-shape the letter given where it appears in a word)

Here are three Tounsi words that begin with the letter “C” that have Arabic origins:

• Chwaya / شويّة — A little
• Chatt (Chat) / شطّ — Beach
• Chte / شتاء — Winter

IBL Contributor, Aroua F. pronounces Chwaya, Chatt & Chte:

C at the end of a word

In Tunisian Arabic, the letter “C” shows up at the end of a word only in cases where the word is etymologically derived from French. And in these cases the Arabic letter is ك.

Aroua F. pronounces C / ك:

Here are three Tounsi words that end in “c / ك”: (All etymologically are derived from French)

• Sac / ساك — Purse
• Fac / فاك — College
• Lac / لاك — Lake (Alternatively, Tunisian Arabic speakers also use the word Bou7ayra / بحيرة for “Lake”, which is based on Standard Arabic (Fos7a / فصحى))

IBL Contributor, Aroua F. pronounces Sac, Fac, & Lac:

C in the middle of a word

The letter C shows up in the middle of Tunisian Arabic words. If the word is etymologically English or French it can appear by itself as C / س. (A “say” sound) If the word is based on Arabic, in the Latin script, it will be combined with an “h” (i.e., “ch”) and the Arabic letter used becomes ش. (A “shay” sound)

Below Aroua F. pronounces س & ش:

Here are three Tounsi words that have the letter C in the middle of the word and the word is derived from English or French:

• Americain / أماريكان – Americano (as in the type of coffee)
• Pharmacie / فرماسي – Pharmacy
• Sucette / سوسات – Lollipop or Pacifier

Aroua F. pronounces Americain, Pharmacie & Sucette:

Below are three Tounsi words that have the letter C in the middle of the word and the word originates from Arabic. Note that in all cases (and as mentioned at the start of this section) the letter “c” is combined with an “h” to make “ch” and using the Arabic letter ش.

• Y3aychek / يعيّشك — Thank you
• Mouchoir / موشوار — Tissue
• Forchita (Farchita) / فرشيطة — Fork

Aroua F. pronounces Y3aychek, Mouchoir & Forchita:

In summary

The letter C takes different Arabic letters (i.e., س, ش & ك) and sounds depending on where it is in a word, it’s etymological roots, and if it’s combined with the letter h. Again, if you wish to study more letters in Tunisian Arabic see the IBL articles The letter “A” in Tunisian Arabic and The letter “B” in Tunisian Arabic. If you want to study a different aspect of Tunisian Arabic this IBL article provides 100 short statements (both scripts) with recordings in Tunisian Arabic: 100 two- and three- word statements in Tunisian Arabic.

We trust you’ll have much more enjoyment in continuing to learn Tunisian Arabic.

As always, we wish you a marvellous journey!