3labali علابالي
Algerian Darja · expression
“3labali” (علابالي) is an expression in Algerian Darja meaning I know, I'm aware.
Meanings
- I know, I'm aware
- I care, it concerns me
Usage
3labali literally means "it is in my mind" and is used to say that you know something or are aware of it. The final pronoun changes with the person: 3labalek (you know), 3labalou (he knows), 3labalna (we know). It is often followed by beli ("that"): 3labali beli… In the negative, ma3labalich, the expression means "I don't know", but also "I'm not aware" or "I don't care". The meaning depends on context and intonation. 3labalek? is also used to get someone's attention, like "you know what?". The expression belongs to the everyday, informal register.
Example
علابالي بلي راك عيان، روح ترقد
3labali beli rak 3yan, rou7 tergod
“I know you're tired, go to sleep.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “3labali” but also “alabali”, “3labaly” and “aalabali”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent.