metrabbi متربي
Tunisian Derja · adjective
“metrabbi” (متربي) is an adjective in Tunisian Derja meaning well-mannered, polite.
Meanings
- well-mannered, polite
Usage
Metrabbi describes a well-brought-up person who knows how to behave and speaks respectfully. The feminine is "metrabbiya", the plural "metrabbyin". It is often used in the negative to reproach someone for a lack of manners: "mouch metrabbi" (badly brought up), which calls into question the upbringing the family gave and can offend. In Tunisia, the form "mrabbi" is also very common, with the same meaning. The word concerns behaviour and manners, not level of education: for "educated", one says rather "mqarri".
Example
ولدك متربي برشا، يسلم على الناس الكل
weldek metrabbi barcha, ysallem 3la ennes el kol
“Your son is very well-mannered, he greets everybody.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “metrabbi” but also “mitrabbi”, “mtrabbi” and “metrabi”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.