mbarek مبارك
Tunisian Derja · adjective
“mbarek” (مبارك) is an adjective in Tunisian Derja meaning blessed, auspicious.
Meanings
- blessed, auspicious
- congratulatory or good-luck wish
Usage
Mbarek describes something blessed or bringing happiness. It is used mainly in greetings tied to religious holidays and major events: "3idek mbarek", "romdhan mbarek". The feminine is mbarka, for example for a year or a day. To congratulate someone (wedding, birth, success), Tunisians more often say mabrouk; mbarek is used more to describe a time, a place or an event. Note: the word is also a first name (Mbarek) and sometimes refers to the former Egyptian president. Context is therefore needed to tell the adjective from the proper name.
Example
رمضان مبارك عليكم
romdhan mbarek 3likom
“A blessed Ramadan to all of you.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “mbarek” but also “mobarek”, “moubarak”, “mbarik” and “mobarik”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.