How to say “seven o’clock” in Tunisian Arabic (Tounsi): Sa’abÄ

Quick Answer & Pronunciation Breakdown

In Tunisian Arabic (Tounsi / Derja), the word for “seven o’clock” is Sa’abÄ.

Arabic Script: سَبْعَة

Part of Speech: Number

Arabizi / Chat Spellings: sa’abä, saaba, saab3, saab3a, sabä, saba, sab3, sab3a, sabäa

Audio & External Reference: Hear pronunciation / view entry on Derja.Ninja →

How to Pronounce Each Sound

• Ä (ع) — Deep guttural 'a' articulated from the back of the throat (Arabic 'Ayn ع). Example: sbÄ
• S (ص) — Emphatic, deep-toned 'S' with the tongue slightly lowered. Example: ÄSfour
• ’ (ء / ع) — Glottal stop or brief vocal pause, like the catch in the middle of 'uh-oh'. Example: me’aza

Found in Tounsi in Black & White (26. Time (Waqt), p. 121) by Paul R. Beeman (“Am Paul”) & Khaled Arres.