kseb كسب
Tunisian Derja · verb
“kseb” (كسب) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to earn, gain, obtain.
Meanings
- to earn, gain, obtain
- to own, possess (goods, livestock)
- to get rich
Usage
Kseb (imperfect yeksib) means to earn or acquire, in both the concrete and the abstract sense: kseb flous, "to earn money", kseb khebra, "to gain experience". In Tunisian, it also frequently means "to own": chnowa yeksib? means "what does he own?", speaking of land, houses or livestock. The derived noun kseb refers to possessions and wealth, especially livestock. Used without an object, the verb can mean "to get rich", sometimes with a nuance of personal profit. To win a match, rbe7 is used instead.
Example
باش تخدم لبلاد موش باش تتكبّر و تكسب ,
bech te5dem libled mouch bech titkabbir ou téksib ,
“To serve the country, not to put on airs and get rich.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “kseb” but also “ksib”, “yeksib”, “kesb” and “kassab”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “kseb” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “to earn, to acquire”; “to own, to possess”: kseb in Moroccan.