flbdya فلبدية
Moroccan Darija · adverb
“flbdya” (فلبدية) is an adverb in Moroccan Darija meaning at the beginning.
Meanings
- at the beginning
- first of all
Usage
F lbdya literally means "in the beginning". This very common phrase places an action at the start of a period or story, often in contrast with what followed: "f lbdya… mn b3d…" ("at first… then…"). It is also used to introduce the first point of an explanation. Online, it is written either as one word or two. The more informal f louwel is also heard with the same meaning. The word lbdya on its own ("the beginning") is also used as a noun, for example "lbdya dyal lfilm" ("the beginning of the film").
Example
فلبدية ماكنتش فاهم والو
f lbdya makontch fahm walo
“At first I didn't understand anything.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “flbdya” but also “felbdia”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.