What does it mean word for word?
ماطيشة is a Darija adaptation, distinct from the Standard Arabic طماطم (tamatim) used in other Arabic-speaking countries.
Which one should you use?
There is one everyday word for tomato in Morocco. طماطم is understood from Standard Arabic but is not the word Moroccans actually say.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ماطيشة is used at every level, from home cooking to restaurant menus.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word is used across Morocco, unlike many other Arabic countries, which use طماطم instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural ماطيشة often stays the same in casual counting, as Darija frequently treats vegetable names as both singular and collective.
How do you pronounce it?
The stress falls on the second syllable: ma-TI-sha.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Using طماطم in a Moroccan market is understood but will mark a speaker as not using the local word.
When do people say it?
Tomato salad, سلاطة ماطيشة, with onion and olive oil is a common side dish at a Moroccan family table.
Did you know?
- ماطيشة is the everyday Moroccan word, distinct from طماطم, the word used in Egypt, the Levant and most Standard Arabic text.
- A simple salad of ماطيشة, onion and olive oil is a near-daily side dish on Moroccan home tables.
Examples in context
- بغيت كيلو ديال الماطيشة.bghit kilu dyal lmatisha.I want a kilo of tomatoes.
- صاوبت سلاطة ماطيشة وخيزو.sawbet slata matisha w khizzu.I made a tomato and carrot salad.
- الماطيشة غالية هاد السيمانة.lmatisha ghalya had ssimana.Tomatoes are expensive this week.
Example conversation
Fouzia buys vegetables from a seller, Larbi, at a Marrakesh market.
- Fouziaشحال كيلو الماطيشة اليوم؟shhal kilu lmatisha lyoum?How much is a kilo of tomatoes today?
- Larbiسبعة دراهم الكيلو.seb3a drahem lkilu.Seven dirhams a kilo.
- Fouziaعطيني جوج كيلو من فضلك.atini juj kilu min fadlek.Give me two kilos please.
- Larbiواخا، هاك طريين.wakha, hak trayyin.Okay, here are fresh ones.
