yebzeg يبزق
Algerian Darja · verb
“yebzeg” (يبزق) is a verb in Algerian Darja meaning he spits.
Meanings
- he spits
- to spit on someone, to scorn
Usage
Third person masculine singular imperfective of the verb bzeg, "to spit". The q is pronounced g in much of Algeria. It is often constructed with 3lik or 3lih: ybzeg 3lik, "he spits on you". Figuratively, the expression conveys deep contempt. It is also used for mocking exaggeration: of a hulking man, it is said that if he spat on someone, he would drown them. The register is colloquial, and the verb can seem coarse depending on context. One source wrongly gives it the sense of "to squeeze": the attested usages clearly show "to spit".
Example
ما تبزقش فالطريق، عيب.
ma tebzegch fe triq, 3ib.
“Don't spit in the street, it's rude.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “yebzeg” but also “yabzag”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.