tal3bi biya تلعبي بيا
Algerian Darja · expression
“tal3bi biya” (تلعبي بيا) is an expression in Algerian Darja meaning are you kidding me?.
Meanings
- are you kidding me?
- you're toying with my feelings
Usage
A common expression, addressed to a woman. To a man, one says tal3ab biya. It is often used in a questioning or indignant tone, for example "raki tal3bi biya?", to reproach someone for joking, lying or not being serious. In a romantic context it takes a stronger meaning: playing with someone's feelings. The register is informal. The pitfall: the preposition b- ("with") is required, and it is not translated word for word as "you play to me". It is heard a lot in songs and TV series.
Example
راكي تلعبي بيا ولا واش؟
raki tal3bi biya wela wach?
“Are you kidding me or what?”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “tal3bi biya” but also “tla3bi biya”, “tal3bi bya”, “tala3bi biya” and “tl3bi biya”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent.