azreb ازرب
Algerian Darja · verb
“azreb” (ازرب) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning hurry up (imperative).
Meanings
- hurry up (imperative)
- to rush, to be quick
Usage
Azreb is the imperative of zreb, "to hurry". It is a very frequent exhortation, often preceded by aya: aya azreb, "come on, hurry up". The plural is azerbou, and one says raho zarbane for "he is in a hurry". The noun form zerba means "haste"; b zerba means "quickly". The register is neutral. Depending on the context, the tone can be friendly or impatient. Pitfall: with an "s", sreb also exists for some speakers. The pronunciation of the initial vowel varies (azreb, izreb), but the meaning stays the same.
Example
أزرب، راه الكار رايح.
azreb, rah lkar raye7.
“Hurry up, the bus is about to leave.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “azreb” but also “zreb”, “ezreb”, “izreb” and “azrab”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.