Tounsi Translator
Tunisian Arabic
Learn to speak Tunisian Arabic
Real phrases, proverbs and a dictionary — written in Arabic script and in Latin letters, so you can start speaking before you can read.
Start with the phrases you will actually use
64 phrases grouped by situation. Each one shows the Tounsi as Tunisian speakers write it, plus a plain-letter spelling with no digits.
- Greetings8 phrases
- First Encounters8 phrases
- Help8 phrases
- Shopping8 phrases
- Food8 phrases
- Transport8 phrases
- Local Expressions6 phrases
- Hotel5 phrases
- Health5 phrases
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Common questions
Is Tunisian Arabic the same as Modern Standard Arabic?
No. Tounsi is the everyday spoken Arabic of Tunisia. It shares its roots with Modern Standard Arabic but has its own vocabulary, grammar and heavy Amazigh, French and Italian influence — enough that speakers of Gulf or Egyptian Arabic often struggle to follow it.
Do I need to read Arabic script to learn Tounsi?
No. Tunisians write their dialect in Latin letters constantly, especially in messages. Every entry on this site shows the Arabic script alongside a Latin spelling, so you can start speaking without learning the alphabet first.
What do the numbers in words like 3aychek and 7aja mean?
They are Arabizi, a texting convention where digits stand in for Arabic sounds that have no Latin letter: 3 is ع, 7 is ح, 9 is ق and 5 is خ. Every page here also gives a plain-letter spelling if you would rather read it without digits.
How long does it take to hold a basic conversation?
Greetings and courtesy phrases take days. Ordering food, haggling in a souk and small talk are realistic within a few months of steady practice, particularly if you have someone to speak with.