yebta يبطى
Algerian Darja · verb
“yebta” (يبطى) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning to be slow, take long to come.
Meanings
- to be slow, take long to come
- to take a long time doing
Usage
Yebta (past bta) is the usual verb for "to be slow, to take a long time". It is often used in the negative imperative: ma tebtach ("don't be long"). With 3la, it indicates the person who is waiting: bta 3liya, "he kept me waiting". Followed by bach and a verb, it means "to take a long time to": bta bach ja, "he took a long time to come". A close synonym is ytawel. Pitfall: yebta expresses duration, waiting. To say "to be late" for an appointment, m3a3tel or ytakhar are also used.
Example
ما تبطاش، راني نستناك
ma tebtach, rani nestennak
“Don't be long, I'm waiting for you.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “yebta” but also “yabta” and “yebtaa”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.