la bas لا باس
Algerian Darja · expression
“la bas” (لا باس) is an expression in Algerian Darja meaning fine, all good.
Meanings
- fine, all good
- no problem, never mind
- not bad, well-off
Usage
Labas is one of the basic greetings. People ask "labas?" or "labas 3lik?", and answer "labas, lhamdoulah". The phrase is also used to reassure someone or play down an incident: "labas, ma kayen walou". Said of a person, "rahou labas" can mean that he is comfortably off, that he has the means. Labas is used in all registers and by all ages. It is also written as one word in arabizi.
Example
لا باس عليك؟ — لا باس الحمد لله
labas 3lik? — labas, lhamdoulah
“How are you? — Fine, thank God.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, it is written “la bas”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “la bas” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “fine, I'm well”; “how are you? (greeting)”: la bas in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “fine, well”; “well-off, comfortable financially”: la bes in Tunisian.