famma rabbi فمة ربي
Tunisian Derja · expression
“famma rabbi” (فمة ربي) is an expression in Tunisian Derja meaning there is a God (who will judge).
Meanings
- there is a God (who will judge)
- God will provide
Usage
Famma rabbi literally means "there is God". The expression is very common. It first serves as a reminder that injustice will not go unpunished: you throw it at someone who has wronged you, as a warning ("famma rabbi!"). It also serves to console or reassure in the face of difficulty, in the sense of "God will provide". Tone makes the difference between a veiled threat and comfort. It is often reinforced with "ya khouya" or followed by "w yechouf" ("and he sees"). It belongs to informal register, without being vulgar.
Example
ظلمتني، أما فمة ربي
dhlemtni, ama famma rabbi
“You wronged me, but God is there.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “famma rabbi” but also “fama rabi”, “famma rabi” and “fema rabi”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.