bi ب
Algerian Darja · preposition
“bi” (ب) is a preposition in Algerian Darja meaning with, by means of.
Meanings
- with, by means of
- by (means of transport)
- for (price), by (difference)
Usage
The preposition b- attaches to the following word, and becomes bel- before the article. It first marks the instrument or means: "kteb b stylo" (write with a pen), "jit b tomobil" (I came by car). It also indicates price: "chrit'ha b alfin dinar" (I bought it for two thousand dinars). It also expresses manner: "b chwiya" (gently), "b sah" (truly, but). For accompaniment, m3a (with someone) is used instead. It takes suffixed pronouns: bih, biha, biya.
Example
جيت بالطوموبيل
jit bel tomobil
“I came by car.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “bi” but also “b”, “be” and “bel”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “bi” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “with, by means of”; “in a manner: in, with”: bi in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “with, by means of”; “by, in (manner, means)”: bi in Tunisian.