yahreb يهرب
Algerian Darja · verb
“yahreb” (يهرب) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning to flee, run away, escape.
Meanings
- to flee, run away, escape
- to avoid someone or something
- to be far ahead (informal)
Usage
Yahreb is the imperfect form of hreb, "to flee". This is the most common sense: an animal, a thief or a child running away. It is also used figuratively for someone who avoids a person, a responsibility or a discussion. The construction is yahreb men, "to flee from someone or something". In informal register, hreb and the participle hareb can mean "to be far ahead, to outdo others": rahou hareb is said of someone very gifted or very advanced. Context tells you whether flight or excellence is meant.
Example
القط كي يشوف الكلب يهرب
el 9et ki ychouf el kelb yahreb
“The cat runs away when it sees the dog.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “yahreb” but also “yohreb” and “yehreb”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.