so7ba صحبة
Tunisian Derja · noun
“so7ba” (صحبة) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning friendship.
Meanings
- friendship
- company, association
- romantic relationship
Usage
So7ba is the usual word for friendship and bonds of companionship. One says binethom so7ba 9dima (they have been friends for a long time) or so7bet ser (a friendship of trust). The word also refers to associating with someone, and a "bad crowd" is so7ba khayba. Depending on context, notably among young people, so7ba can also suggest a romantic relationship, since sa7bi or sa7beti can mean "my boyfriend" or "my girlfriend". The word is neutral and affectionate, and very present in songs and messages.
Example
الصحبة الصحيحة تبان وقت الشدة
es-so7ba es-s7i7a tben wa9t ech-chedda
“True friendship shows in hard times.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “so7ba” but also “sohba”, “s7oba” and “su7ba”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 7 is ha (ح), a breathy h from the throat.