sbiya صبية
Tunisian Derja · noun
“sbiya” (صبية) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning young girl of marriageable age.
Meanings
- young girl of marriageable age
- girl (child)
Usage
Sbiya means a young girl, in particular a girl of marriageable age. The word belongs mainly to the traditional register: it is found in proverbs, songs and the speech of older people, or in certain regions. In everyday urban speech, "tofla" is used instead for a girl or young woman. The corresponding masculine, "sbi", is rare. Used today, sbiya can have an affectionate or slightly old-fashioned nuance.
Example
عندو صبية في عمر الزواج
3andou sbiya fi 3omr ezzwej
“He has a daughter of marriageable age.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “sbiya” but also “sbia”, “sabiya” and “sbiyya”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.