l3arbi العربي
Algerian Darja · adjective
“l3arbi” (العربي) is an adjective in Algerian Darja meaning Arab (relating to Arabs).
Meanings
- Arab (relating to Arabs)
- an Arab
- Arabic language, darja
Usage
L'3arbi is the form of 3arbi, "Arab", with the article. It works as an adjective (l'3alam l'3arbi, the Arab world) or as a noun for an Arab person. In Algeria, it is often contrasted with qbayli (Kabyle) or chawi when talking about origin or language. It is also used to refer to the language: "yahder b l'3arbi", he speaks Arabic, which often means darja. Larbi is also a common male first name. The word is neutral, but it appears in pejorative generalizations. The reference definition provided is one of them and must be discarded.
Example
هدر معايا بالعربي
hdar m3aya bel 3arbi
“He spoke to me in Arabic.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “l3arbi” but also “el3arbi”, “l'arabi” and “l'arabe”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent.