How to Say Sorry, Excuse Me and Please in Tunisian Arabic

In Tunisian Arabic, a few words are enough to address someone politely, apologize, or make a request. On this page, you will learn how to say “sorry,” “excuse me,” and “please,” as well as how to get someone's attention before speaking to them.

All the phrases presented here were recorded by our teachers. You can memorize them and use them directly in a conversation in Tunisian Arabic.

Sorry and excuse me: Sam7ni and Sama7ni

Two forms appear in our recordings for “sorry” or “excuse me”: Sam7ni and Sama7ni. Both expressions carry the same meaning and are used in the same way. You may also come across the spelling Samahnii for the same idea. All three spellings refer to the same expression, and you will find all of them in practice.

Please: brabi, 3ayshek and 3aychek

“Please” is expressed with brabi or 3ayshek. Our recordings also include the spelling 3aychek for the same word. The two expressions can appear together in the same sentence: 3ayshek brabi.

Sorry for the trouble: Sama7ni 3al el iz3aj

To apologize for causing a disturbance, our teachers recorded the phrase Sama7ni 3al el iz3aj. haw Bech nab3thou wa7ed tawwa., which means “Sorry for the trouble. We are sending someone right away.” The fragment Sama7ni 3al el iz3aj corresponds to “Sorry for the trouble.”

Ready-to-use examples

Click the button after a phrase to hear it spoken by a teacher.

Sam7ni, win el medina? - Excuse me, where is the medina?
Sama7ni, fin jema3 Zitouna? - Excuse me, where is the Zitouna mosque?
Sama7ni. Win Bab Bhar ? - Excuse me. Where is Bab Bhar?
A3tini chwaya mea, brabi. - Give me a little water, please.
t7elli l beb 3aychek. - Please, open the door for me.
Samahnii, ma 7abithomch el 9ararat elkol - Sorry, I don't like all the decisions.

A mini-dialogue

Here is an exchange made up of phrases recorded by our teachers:

Aslema! 3ayshek brabi, a3tini wa7ed lablabi. - Hi! Please, give me a lablabi.
Sama7ni 3al el iz3aj. haw Bech nab3thou wa7ed tawwa. - Sorry for the trouble. We are sending someone right away.

How these words are used

In all the examples above, Sam7ni and Sama7ni appear at the beginning of the sentence, before the question or remark that follows. As for brabi, it appears at the end of the sentence in A3tini chwaya mea, brabi., and in the middle in Aslema! 3ayshek brabi, a3tini wa7ed lablabi.

Sama7ni can introduce a question, as in Sama7ni. Win Bab Bhar ?, but also express “sorry” when followed by 3al el iz3aj. The context makes it clear which meaning is intended.

FAQ

What is the difference between Sam7ni and Sama7ni?

Our recordings give them the same meaning: “sorry” or “excuse me.” Both are used in the same way. You may also see the spelling Samahnii for the same expression.

How do you say “please” in Tunisian Arabic?

Two words appear in our recordings: brabi and 3ayshek (also spelled 3aychek). The sentence Aslema! 3ayshek brabi, a3tini wa7ed lablabi. shows that they can be used together.