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Culture Lesson 01Beginner · Around 10 minutes

Traditional Tunisian clothing

اللباس التقليدي التونسي

el-lbes et-taqlidi et-tounsi

Discover a little Tunisian culture, learn six clothing names, and practise a few words you can use at a celebration.

Explore the clothes Try the mini quiz

Look, listen, repeat — then try it yourself.

A little Tunisian wardrobe

Culture & language

Traditional tunic in Tunisian traditional dress

الجُبّةej-jebba

Traditional festive outfit in Tunisian traditional dress

التبديلةet-tabdila

Traditional felt cap in Tunisian traditional dress

الشاشية

ech-chechia

A familiar little red cap.

Six words. A small window into Tunisian life.

01 · Discover

A tradition you can wear.

HeritageCelebrationsCraft

Traditional clothing is part of Tunisian cultural heritage. Styles and embroidery vary from region to region. Many traditional outfits are worn for weddings and celebrations, while some garments also have everyday uses. Here are six examples to help you recognise them — and say their names in Darja.

02 · Look & listen

Meet the clothes.

Look at each garment. Read its name, listen, and repeat it aloud.

Arabic · Latin spelling · English

Men’s clothing01

الجُبّة

ej-jebba

Traditional tunic

A loose traditional tunic, shown here in its men’s version. Often worn for celebrations.

Look for the decorated neckline.

Women’s clothing02

التبديلة

et-tabdila

Traditional festive outfit

A decorated women’s outfit associated with weddings. A familiar version combines a fouta and blouza.

Notice the matching pieces and embroidery.

Traditional wrap in Tunisian traditional dress

Women’s clothing03

السفساري

es-sefsari

Traditional wrap

A large white or cream wrap, traditionally draped over a woman’s head and clothing when going out.

Notice how the fabric is draped.

Headwear04

الشاشية

ech-chechia

Traditional felt cap

A soft, round felt cap made from wool. The classic Tunisian chechia is red.

Look for the soft, rounded shape.

Traditional waistcoat in Tunisian traditional dress

Part of an outfit05

الفرملة

el-farmla

Traditional waistcoat

A sleeveless waistcoat, often embroidered and worn as part of a traditional outfit.

Versions appear in men’s and women’s dress.

Hooded wool cloak in Tunisian traditional dress

Outerwear06

البرنوس

el-barnous

Hooded wool cloak

A hooded wool cloak worn over clothing. It provides warmth, especially in colder weather.

Look for the hood and flowing fabric.

Pronunciation tip: in ej-jebba, et-tabdila, es-sefsari and ech-chechia, the article joins the first sound. Latin spelling helps; the recording is your pronunciation guide.

03 · Say it in Darja

A few words to use.

Name an item or give a simple compliment at a celebration.

Point to an item

هاذي شاشية.

Hedhi chechia.

This is a chechia.

Name what you see

هذا برنوس.

Hedha barnous.

This is a barnous.

Give a compliment

محلاها اللبسة!

Ma7leha el-lebsa!

What a beautiful outfit!

Your turn: point to the chechia or barnous above and say its sentence. In the compliment, 7 represents the Arabic sound ح.

04 · A little practice

What do you remember?

Choose the right answer. There is no timer, and you can try again if you need to.

Five short questions.
Use the vocabulary cards whenever you need a reminder.

05 · Take it with you

Your little lesson review.

Cover the English meanings and see which words you remember.

Six Tunisian clothing words with Latin pronunciation support and English meanings
Arabic	Latin spelling	English
الجُبّة	ej-jebba	Traditional tunic
التبديلة	et-tabdila	Traditional festive outfit
السفساري	es-sefsari	Traditional wrap
الشاشية	ech-chechia	Traditional felt cap
الفرملة	el-farmla	Traditional waistcoat
البرنوس	el-barnous	Hooded wool cloak

A small step forward.

You have explored six garments and three useful expressions. Check what you can do:

I can recognise three clothing names. I can name the chechia or barnous aloud. I can give a compliment in Darja. Explore more free lessons

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