as3eb اصعب
Tunisian Derja · adjective
“as3eb” (اصعب) is an adjective in Tunisian Derja meaning harder, hardest.
Meanings
- harder, hardest
- tougher, most painful
Usage
As3eb is the comparative and superlative form of s3ib (difficult). It does not agree in gender or number: as3eb mas2la (the hardest question), as3eb nhar (the toughest day). Placed before an indefinite noun, it takes the superlative meaning. Followed by men, it expresses comparison: hedhi as3eb men lokhra (this one is harder than the other). It is used for an exam, a decision, a period or a sporting opponent. Avoid adding barcha in front: as3eb is enough and already carries the degree.
Example
الامتحان هذا أصعب من متاع العام اللي فات.
el imti7en hedha as3eb men mta3 el 3am elli fet.
“This exam is harder than last year's.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “as3eb” but also “as3ab”, “a9sa3b”, “aso3b” and “as3b”. 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; 9 is qaf (ق), a k pronounced at the back of the throat.