galleb قلب

Algerian Darja · verb

“galleb” (قلب) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning to look for, to search.

Meanings

1. to look for, to search
2. to turn over, turn upside down
3. to check, examine in detail

Usage

Galleb is a very common verb. With the preposition 3la, it means "to look for": galleb 3la khedma, "to look for work". Used on its own, it means "to rummage through" or "to turn over" something: galleb lblassa, "he turned the whole place upside down". The present is formed with the particle rani: rani ngalleb. Pitfall: without vowels and shadda, the same Arabic spelling can be read galb, "heart". Context and the shadda distinguish the verb from the noun. It is generally pronounced with a g, rarely with a q.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “galleb” but also “qalleb”, “gelleb”, “9alleb” and “galeb”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.

Type “galleb” on the Arabic keyboard

In Moroccan Darija

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “to search, look for”; “to turn over, flip”: 9elleb in Moroccan.

In Tunisian Derja

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “heart (organ, feelings)”; “centre, inner part”: 9alb in Tunisian.