9rob قرب
Tunisian Derja · verb
“9rob” (قرب) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to approach, come close to.
Meanings
- to approach, come close to
- to be near (in time)
- to be related to someone
Usage
A common verb, conjugated in the present as yo9rob. It takes the preposition l- or men: 9rob lel bab (he came up to the door). It is often heard in the negative, as a warning: ma to9robch (don't come near). It can also say that a moment is approaching, or, in a family context, that a person is a relative. It should not be confused with 9arreb, which means "to bring something closer". The related adjective 9rib means "close", but also "almost". This verb is used in all registers of the spoken language.
Example
ما تقربش للنار، تحرق روحك
ma to9robch lel nar, ta7ra9 rou7ek
“Don't go near the fire, you'll burn yourself.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “9rob” but also “9rab”, “qrob”, “krob” and “9reb”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.