Ways to say it
| Tunisian Arabic | Romanization |
|---|---|
| باهي | bahi |
| طيب | tayeb |
باهي is one of the most recognisably Tunisian words, used constantly to mean 'okay', 'fine' or 'alright' in almost any context. طيب (tayeb) means the same thing and is shared more widely with other Arabic dialects.
What does it mean word for word?
باهي has no simple word-for-word breakdown, it functions as the everyday Tunisian word for 'okay' and also for 'good' in general.
Which one should you use?
باهي sounds distinctly Tunisian. طيب is understood everywhere but is used slightly less often than باهي in casual Tunisian speech.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Both fit informal daily speech, used identically with friends, family and strangers.
Is it said differently in some regions?
باهي is one of the words most associated specifically with Tunisian Arabic among other Arabic speakers.
How does it change in a sentence?
باهي does not change form with gender or number.
How do you pronounce it?
باهي is stressed on the first syllable, 'BA-hi', with a light h sound.
When do people say it?
باهي is said constantly in daily Tunisian life, from confirming plans to simply acknowledging what someone just said.
Did you know?
- باهي is one of the single words most often pointed to as distinctly Tunisian by other Arabic speakers, since it is rarely used the same way outside Tunisia.
- باهي doubles as both 'okay' and 'good', much the same way the word does for the separate page on how to say 'good' in Tunisian.
Examples in context
- باهي، نشوفك الغدوة.bahi, nshufek el-ghodwa.Okay, I'll see you tomorrow.
- طيب، نعملوا هكا.tayeb, na3mlu heka.Okay, let's do it that way.
- باهي، ما فماش مشكل.bahi, ma fammesh mushkel.Okay, there's no problem.
Example conversation
Donia and her friend Marwa settle plans for the weekend.
- Doniaنتلاقاو عند الساعة خمسة؟nitlaqaw 3end es-sa3a khamsa?Shall we meet at five?
- Marwaباهي، نجيك عند المحطة.bahi, najik 3end el-mahatta.Okay, I'll come find you at the station.
- Doniaباهي، نستناك هناك.bahi, nestannak hnak.Okay, I'll wait for you there.
- Marwaيلا، نشوفك توا.yalla, nshufek touwa.Alright, see you soon.
