chbi شبي
Tunisian Derja · expression
“chbi” (شبي) is an expression in Tunisian Derja meaning what's wrong with me? what's happening to me?.
Meanings
- what's wrong with me? what's happening to me?
- why? how come?
Usage
Chbi is a very common question, formed from ech ("what") and bi ("with me"). Literally, it means "what's wrong with me?". The form changes with the person: chbik ("what's wrong with you?"), chbih ("what's wrong with him?"), chbiha, chbikom. In conversation, chbi also serves as a general question meaning "why" or "how come", often in a tone of surprise or reproach, for example chbi ma qoltlich ? ("why didn't you tell me?"). The register is informal and spoken. Pitfall: chbik does not ask for neutral news; it assumes that something is wrong.
Example
شبي ما جيتش البارح؟
chbi ma jitch el berah?
“Why didn't you come yesterday?”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “chbi” but also “shbi”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.