sebbeb سبب
Algerian Darja · verb
“sebbeb” (سبب) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning to cause, to bring about.
Meanings
- to cause, to bring about
- to be the reason for
Usage
Sebbeb means "to cause, to provoke", especially a harm or a problem: "sebbeb machkil", "he caused a problem". The corresponding noun, "sabab" or "sebba", is more frequent than the verb: "wach howa sabab ?", "what is the reason?". The phrase "3la sebba" means "because of". Do not confuse it with "sebb" (to insult), whose form is close. The verb belongs to an everyday register, with a slightly more refined tone than "dar", which means "to do/make" but is often used in the same sense.
Example
هو اللي سبّب المشكل
howa li sebbeb el machkil
“He's the one who caused the problem.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “sebbeb” but also “sabbeb”, “sabbab”, “sebeb” and “sebbab”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “sebbeb” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “to cause, provoke”; “to be the origin of”: sebbeb in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “reason, motive”; “cause, origin of something”: sbab in Tunisian.