3jib عجيب

Tunisian Derja · adjective

“3jib” (عجيب) is an adjective in Tunisian Derja meaning astonishing, strange.

Meanings

1. astonishing, strange
2. amazing, extraordinary

Usage

3jib describes whatever surprises, for better or worse. The feminine is 3jiba. It is first used to express astonishment at something strange or contradictory, as in the exclamation 3jib!, "that's weird". But in Tunisian it very often carries a complimentary sense: something called 3jib is great, excellent. So you say mekla 3jiba, a delicious meal. Only context and intonation tell the two meanings apart. It is a trap, since it is easily heard only as "strange".

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “3jib” but also “3ajib”, “ajib”, “3jiib” and “3jeb”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent.

Type “3jib” on the Arabic keyboard

In Moroccan Darija

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “strange, weird”; “amazing, incredible”: 3jib in Moroccan.

In Algerian Darja

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Algerian Darja, where it means “surprising, amazing”; “strange, weird”: 3djib in Algerian.