hareb هارب
Algerian Darja · adjective
“hareb” (هارب) is an adjective in Algerian Darja meaning excellent, top-notch, ahead of the curve.
Meanings
- excellent, top-notch, ahead of the curve
- superior to (hareb 3la)
- on the run, fugitive
Usage
Literally, hareb is the participle of hrab (to flee) and means "on the run". In colloquial speech, especially among young people and online, it means "awesome, ahead of the curve, impressive": vidéo hareb (an excellent video). Hareb f rasou is said of a very intelligent person or one ahead of their time. Hareb 3la expresses superiority: hareb 3la ga3 l-baramij (better than all the shows). The feminine is harba. This sense is colloquial.
Example
هاد الفيلم هارب بزاف
had l-film hareb bezzaf
“This film is really awesome.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “hareb” but also “harib”, “hareeb” and “harb”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “hareb” on the Arabic keyboard
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “fleeing, on the run”; “fugitive”: hareb in Tunisian.