maghloub martou مغلوب مرته
Algerian Darja · expression
“maghloub martou” (مغلوب مرته) is an expression in Algerian Darja meaning man dominated by his wife.
Meanings
- man dominated by his wife
Usage
Maghloub martou literally means "defeated by his wife". The expression describes a husband who decides nothing and obeys his wife. It is informal and mocking, often said jokingly among friends, but it can offend. The form varies: maghloub martah or maghloub martou depending on the region. It is used as an adjective (rah maghloub martou) or to refer to the person. The closest English equivalent is "henpecked husband" or "under the thumb".
Example
ما يقدرش يخرج معانا، راهو مغلوب مرتو
ma ye9derch yokhrej m3ana, rah maghloub martou
“He can't go out with us, he's under his wife's thumb.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “maghloub martou” but also “maghloub martah”, “mghloub marto” and “maghlob martou”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.