ndabez ندابز
Algerian Darja · verb
“ndabez” (ندابز) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning I fight, I brawl.
Meanings
- I fight, I brawl
- I struggle, I battle
Usage
Ndabez is the first person singular (imperfect) of the verb dabez, "to fight, to brawl". It is constructed with m3a: ndabez m3a wahed, "I fight with someone". The corresponding noun is dabza, "brawl". The register is colloquial and common throughout Algeria. Figuratively, it is used for a hard struggle against something, for example the sea, life or a problem: "I struggle". Note: the n- form does not indicate a plural. It really is "I"; the plural is ndabzou.
Example
كنت ندابز مع واحد في الطريق
kont ndabez m3a wahed fe triq
“I was fighting with someone in the street.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “ndabez” but also “ndabz”, “nedabez” and “nidabiz”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.