a9reb اقرب
Tunisian Derja · adjective
“a9reb” (اقرب) is an adjective in Tunisian Derja meaning nearest, closest.
Meanings
- nearest, closest
- closer
Usage
A9reb is the comparative and superlative form of 9rib (near). Placed before a noun, it means "the nearest": "wīn a9reb farmasyān?" (where is the nearest pharmacy?). To compare, it is followed by "men": "a9reb men dārek" (closer than your place). The fixed expression "fi a9reb wa9t" means "as soon as possible"; it is frequent in commercial and administrative exchanges. The form does not change for gender or number.
Example
وين اقرب حانوت؟
win a9reb 7anout?
“Where is the nearest shop?”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “a9reb” but also “a9rab”, “akreb”, “aqrab” and “a9rib”. 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.