mahboul مهبول
Algerian Darja · adjective
“mahboul” (مهبول) is an adjective in Algerian Darja meaning crazy, mad.
Meanings
- crazy, mad
- amazing, impressive (admiring)
- crazy about, passionate
Usage
Mahboul, feminine mahboula and plural mhabel, is the most common word for "crazy". The corresponding noun is el-hbal, "craziness", and the verb tehbel means "to go crazy". The word is informal without being vulgar. It is often used jokingly between friends, with a nuance close to "you're nuts". It also has a very common admiring sense: rak mahboul ! means "you're amazing!". Tone and context show whether it is a reproach or a compliment. Said to a stranger in a serious tone, however, it can offend.
Example
واش راك مهبول؟ تخرج في هاد البرد بلا جاكيتة!
wach rak mahboul? to5roj f had lbard bla jakita!
“Are you crazy? Going out in this cold without a jacket!”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “mahboul” but also “mehboul”, “mahbol” and “mahbool”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “mahboul” on the Arabic keyboard
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “crazy, mad”; “reckless, foolish”: mahboul in Tunisian.