mstaghreb مستغرب
Moroccan Darija · adjective
“mstaghreb” (مستغرب) is an adjective in Moroccan Darija meaning astonished, surprised.
Meanings
- astonished, surprised
- puzzled, finding it strange
Usage
Mstaghreb describes someone who is surprised or who finds something odd. The feminine is mstaghrba and the plural mstaghrbin. It is often constructed with men: ana mstaghreb mennek, "I'm surprised at you", often in a reproachful tone. The phrase ana mstaghreb kifach… expresses incomprehension. The corresponding verb is staghreb, to be surprised. The word is common and neutral. For a stronger surprise or a shock, one rather says mkhle3 or tsedmt.
Example
أنا مستغرب منك، ماكنتش كنتسناها منك
ana mstaghreb mennek, makontch kantsennaha mennek
“I'm surprised at you, I wasn't expecting that from you.”
Forms
| feminine | mstghrba |
|---|---|
| plural | mstghrbin |
| feminine plural | mstghrbat |
Forms as recorded in DODa, in its spelling.
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “mstaghreb” but also “msteghreb”, “mestaghreb” and “mstghrb”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “mstaghreb” on the Arabic keyboard
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “astonished, surprised”; “puzzled, skeptical”: mestaghreb in Tunisian.