sbedri سبادري

Tunisian Derja · noun

“sbedri” (سبادري) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning sneakers, sports shoes.

Meanings

1. sneakers, sports shoes

Usage

Sbedri is the common Tunisian word for sneakers or sports shoes, in canvas or leather. It is used as a collective, often without a plural marker: "chrit sbedri" (I bought sneakers). You also say "zouz sbedri" for a pair. The register is informal and everyday; you hear it everywhere. Young people sometimes also say "basket" or name the brand directly. Sbedri contrasts with sabbat or soubbat, the dress shoe. The word turns up in teasing about someone's outfit, for example sneakers with undone laces.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “sbedri” but also “sbadri”, “sbadry” and “sbedry”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Type “sbedri” on the Arabic keyboard

In Algerian Darja

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Algerian Darja, where it means “espadrille, light canvas shoe”; “canvas sneaker”: sbadri in Algerian.