atrabaw اترباو
Algerian Darja · verb
“atrabaw” (اترباو) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning be polite, show some manners.
Meanings
- be polite, show some manners
- get some upbringing
Usage
Atrabaw is the plural imperative of the verb tréba / yetréba, "to be well brought up, to receive a good upbringing". It is used to bluntly call someone to order: it reproaches a lack of manners, inappropriate remarks or indecent conduct. The tone is disapproving, often accompanied by ahachmou ("be ashamed") or chwiya ("a bit"): atrabaw chwiya. In the singular, one says atréba. It is not an insult, but it is a direct reproach, quite hurtful to an adult, because it implies poor upbringing by their parents.
Example
اترباو شوية، راكم قدام الناس
atrabaw chwiya, rakom gouddam ennas
“Behave yourselves a bit, you're in front of people.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “atrabaw” but also “atrabaou”, “trabaw”, “etrabaw” and “atrebaw”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.