taleb طالب
Algerian Darja · noun
“taleb” (طالب) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning student, pupil.
Meanings
- student, pupil
- Quranic teacher, taleb
Usage
Taleb first means a student or pupil, especially in a careful or administrative register. In everyday speech, one also says "étudiant" or "yeqra fel jami3a" (he studies at the university). The traditional sense is still very much alive: the taleb is the man who teaches the Quran to children, leads prayer in a village or practices roqya. Context distinguishes the two senses. Plural: "tolba". Taleb is also a common family name in Algeria. Do not confuse it with the verb "tleb" (to ask, to request).
Example
خويا طالب في الجامعة تاع وهران
khouya taleb fel jami3a ta3 wahran
“My brother is a student at the University of Oran.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “taleb” but also “talib”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “taleb” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “student”; “Quranic scholar, reciter”: taleb in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “student”; “asking, requesting”: taleb in Tunisian.