m3abi معب
Tunisian Derja · adjective
“m3abi” (معب) is an adjective in Tunisian Derja meaning full, packed.
Meanings
- full, packed
- busy, full (day, weekend)
Usage
M3abbi, often written without the final vowel, means "filled". It is said of a crowded place or vehicle, such as a train, a tunnel or a café, and of a full container. Figuratively, it describes a busy schedule: "weekend m3abbi" ("a packed weekend"). The feminine is m3abbya. It takes b: "m3abbi b ness" ("full of people"). It is very common and neutral, but avoid using it on its own to say "I'm not hungry anymore". Say chba3t instead.
Example
التران اليوم معبّي برشة
el tran el youm m3abbi barcha
“The train is packed today.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “m3abi” but also “m3abbi”, “m3eby” and “m3abby”. 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.