tbarkallah تباركالله
Tunisian Derja · interjection
“tbarkallah” (تباركالله) is an interjection in Tunisian Derja meaning admiration formula against the evil eye.
Meanings
- admiration formula against the evil eye
- well done, how impressive
- God protect them (admiration)
Usage
Tbarkallah is a very frequent formula for expressing admiration for a person, a child, an achievement or a possession. It also serves to ward off the evil eye: it is said when complimenting someone, to show that the praise is free of envy. It is often constructed with "3la": "tbarkallah 3lih", "tbarkallah 3liha", "tbarkallah 3likom". In practice, it is equivalent to "bravo" or "God protect them". It belongs to the common register, without a strong religious connotation. Omitting the formula when paying a compliment can seem awkward in some circles.
Example
تباركالله عليها، كبرت و ولات تحكي مليح
tbarkallah 3liha, kbret w wallet te7ki mli7
“God bless her, she has grown up and now speaks well.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “tbarkallah” but also “tbarkalla”, “tbarklah”, “tbarkalah” and “tabarkallah”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Its Arabic spelling is not fixed either: you will find تباركالله and تبركالله, all the same word.