5 Love Poems in Tunisian Arabic (Derja)

Love poetry is one of the most beautiful ways to learn a dialect. If you are exploring Tunisian Arabic (Derja), short romantic poems can help you discover natural vocabulary, emotional expressions, rhythm, and pronunciation.

A Quick Note About Tunisian Derja Spelling

Tunisian Arabic (Derja) is mostly a spoken dialect, so spelling can vary a lot:

• from person to person,

• between Arabic script and Latin transliteration,

• and depending on region.

That means you may see small variations in words (for example in transliteration), and that is normal. The goal here is to help learners understand real romantic expressions and get used to the sound and feeling of the dialect.

1) Poem: You Stay in My Heart

Tunisian Arabic (Derja)

إنتِ في قلبي ديما
كيف النور في عينيّا
نهارك يضحكلي
ووجودك يحييني

Transliteration

Inti fi qalbi dima
Kif en-nour fi 3inayya
Nharik yedh7akli
W wjoudik y7ayyini

English Translation

You are always in my heart,
like light in my eyes.
Your day smiles at me,
and your presence brings me to life.

Vocabulary Notes

• inti = you (to a woman)

• fi qalbi = in my heart

• dima = always

• wjoudik = your presence

2) Poem: When You Speak

Tunisian Arabic (Derja)

كي تحكي، قلبي يهدى
وكي تضحك، روحي تطير
صوتك عندي دفى
وحبّك أجمل مصير

Transliteration

Ki t7ki, qalbi yehda
W ki tedh7ak, rou7i tṭir
Soutik 3andi difa
W 7obbik ajmel maṣir

English Translation

When you speak, my heart becomes calm.
When you laugh, my soul flies.
Your voice is warmth to me,
and your love is the most beautiful destiny.

Vocabulary Notes

• ki = when

• t7ki = you speak

• rou7i = my soul

• 7obbik = your love

3) Poem: In Every Street

Tunisian Arabic (Derja)

في كل زنقة نفكّر فيك
وفي كل خطوة نلقاك
حتى كي تبعد عليّا
قلبي ديما يمشي معاك

Transliteration

Fi koll زن9a نفakker fik
W fi koll khotwa nal9ak
Ḥatta ki teb3ed 3liyya
Qalbi dima يمشي m3ak

(Alternative full Latin transliteration)
Fi koll zen9a nfakker fik
W fi koll khotwa nal9ak
Ḥatta ki teb3ed 3liyya
Qalbi dima yemshi m3ak

English Translation

In every street, I think of you,
and in every step, I find you.
Even when you are far from me,
my heart still walks with you.

Vocabulary Notes

• nfakker fik = I think of you

• nal9ak = I find you

• teb3ed 3liyya = you go far from me

• m3ak = with you

4) Poem: A Simple Promise

Tunisian Arabic (Derja)

ما نحبّ من الدنيا كان إنتِ
وضِحكة تردّ الروح
نبقى جنبك في الساهل والصعيب
وحبّنا ديما يبوح

Transliteration

Ma n7eb men ed-denya ken inti
W ḍa7ka tradd er-rou7
Neb9a janbek fi s-sahil w ṣ-ṣ3ib
W 7obbna dima ybou7

English Translation

I want nothing from this world except you,
and a smile that restores the soul.
I stay by your side in ease and hardship,
and our love always speaks for itself.

Vocabulary Notes

• ma n7eb… ken = I want only…

• ed-denya = the world / life

• janbek = by your side

• s-sahil w ṣ-ṣ3ib = the easy and the difficult (good and hard times)

5) Poem: My Evening With You

Tunisian Arabic (Derja)

معاك الليل يولي هاني
والسكات يولّي كلام
نلقى في عينيك أماني
ونحسّ حبّك سلام

Transliteration

M3ak ellil ywalli hani
W السكّات ywalli klem
Nal9a fi 3inik amani
W ne7ess 7obbik slem

(Alternative full Latin transliteration)
M3ak ellil ywalli hani
W السكات ywalli klem
Nal9a fi 3inik amani
W ne7ess 7obbik slem

English Translation

With you, the night becomes peaceful,
and silence turns into words.
In your eyes I find my wishes,
and I feel your love as peace.

Vocabulary Notes

• m3ak = with you

• ellil = the night

• amani = wishes / hopes

• slem = peace

What These Poems Teach You in Tunisian Derja

These short poems are not just romantic — they are also useful for learning common patterns in Tunisian Arabic (Derja), such as:

• fi qalbi (in my heart)

• dima (always)

• ki… (when…)

• m3ak (with you)

• n7eb / 7obb (to love / love)

By reading short poems, learners can improve:

• vocabulary memory,

• pronunciation rhythm,

• emotional expression,

• and natural sentence flow.

How to Practice These Love Poems (Beginner-Friendly)

A simple way to learn from these poems:

1) Read one poem out loud

Focus on rhythm and sound, not perfect pronunciation.

2) Learn 3–5 key words from each poem

This helps build vocabulary naturally.

3) Repeat the transliteration + Arabic script

This improves reading confidence.

4) Create your own short line

For example:

• Inti fi qalbi dima (You are always in my heart)

• Soutik 3andi difa (Your voice is warmth to me)

This is a great way to start speaking creatively in Derja.

FAQ – Love Poems in Tunisian Arabic (Derja)

Is Tunisian Arabic (Derja) the same as Modern Standard Arabic?

No. Tunisian Derja is a spoken dialect with its own vocabulary, pronunciation, and expressions. It differs significantly from Modern Standard Arabic.

Can beginners learn Tunisian Derja through poems?

Yes. Short poems are great for beginners because they are memorable, emotional, and full of useful expressions.

Why is transliteration included?

Transliteration helps learners who are not yet comfortable reading Arabic script, while still allowing them to practice pronunciation.

Are these poems formal or colloquial?

They are written in a simple colloquial style inspired by Tunisian Derja, suitable for learners.