bjeh rabbi بجاه ربي
Tunisian Derja · expression
“bjeh rabbi” (بجاه ربي) is an expression in Tunisian Derja meaning I beg you, for pity's sake.
Meanings
- I beg you, for pity's sake
- please (insistent)
Usage
Bjeh rabbi literally means "by God's standing". It is used to strongly reinforce a request or a plea, much more than a simple "please" (3aychek, ya3tik essa7a). The expression goes at the start of the sentence: bjeh rabbi 3aweni, bjeh rabbi ma t9oul 7ad. It is very common in speech, among all ages, and is neither religious nor formal in register. Depending on the tone, it can express exasperation ("bjeh rabbi, sakket !", "for pity's sake, be quiet!") or a sincere plea. For an ordinary favour, it sounds exaggerated.
Example
بجاه ربي عاوني شويّة
bjeh rabbi 3aweni chwaya
“I beg you, help me a little.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “bjeh rabbi” but also “bjeh rabi”, “bjah rabbi”, “bjah rabi” and “bijeh rabbi”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.