starjel استرجل

Tunisian Derja · verb

“starjel” (استرجل) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to act like a man, bravely.

Meanings

1. to act like a man, bravely
2. to act loyally toward someone

Usage

Verb formed on rajel, "man", meaning to rise to the occasion, show courage, loyalty or generosity. With the preposition m3a, "starjel m3ah" means you treated someone well: you supported, helped or defended them at the right moment. It's a common compliment, especially between men. In the imperative, "starjel!", it's an exhortation to stop complaining and take responsibility. The word expresses a moral value rather than physical manliness. It can also be used for a woman who has shown guts.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “starjel” but also “estarjel”, “istarjel”, “starjal” and “estarjal”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Type “starjel” on the Arabic keyboard

In Algerian Darja

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Algerian Darja, where it means “to act like a man, show courage”; “to pull oneself together, take responsibility”: starjel in Algerian.