srabes سرابس
Tunisian Derja · noun
“srabes” (سرابس) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning dinnerware sets, matched sets.
Meanings
- dinnerware sets, matched sets
Usage
Srabes is the plural of serbis, an adapted borrowing from French "service". It refers to a matched set of tableware: flat and deep plates, serving dishes, cups or glasses. The word comes up a lot when talking about the bride's trousseau (jhez) and shopping before a wedding. For example one says serbis kristal, serbis mta3 qahwa. For an English speaker, the pitfall is the meaning: "service" here does not mean a provision of service, but a set of tableware pieces.
Example
شرات زوز سرابس للجهاز متاعها
chret zouz srabes lel jhez mte3ha
“She bought two dinnerware sets for her trousseau.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “srabes” but also “srabis”, “sarabes” and “serbis”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.