nhabek نحبك
Algerian Darja · expression
“nhabek” (نحبك) is an expression in Algerian Darja meaning I love you.
Meanings
- I love you
- I'm fond of you, I adore you
Usage
Nhabek is the conjugated form of the verb habb, "to love", in the first person with the suffix -ek, "you". It is addressed equally to a man or a woman. In the plural, one says nhabkoum, "I love you all". The meaning depends on context: a declaration of love, affection for a loved one, admiration for an artist. It is often seen in comments, for example nhabek fi-llah, "I love you for God's sake", a brotherly phrase with no romantic connotation. Note: the prefix n- marks the first person singular here, as everywhere in the Maghreb. It is not a "we".
Example
يما، نحبك بزاف
yemma, nhabek bezzaf
“Mum, I love you so much.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “nhabek” but also “nhebek”, “n7abek”, “nhebbek” and “n7ebek”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 7 is ha (ح), a breathy h from the throat.