tebla3 تبلع
Tunisian Derja · verb
“tebla3” (تبلع) is a verb in Tunisian Derja meaning to swallow.
Meanings
- to swallow
- to take it silently
- to swallow (a lie)
Usage
Tebla3 is the conjugated form of bla3 ("to swallow"): "you swallow" or "she swallows". In the literal sense, it is used for food, water or medicine. Figuratively, it means to endure without protesting, to keep one's anger to oneself or to swallow one's words. Someone who stays silent is thus blamed for "swallowing everything". It can also mean to believe a lie without reacting. Context distinguishes these senses. The imperative is obla3. The register is informal and neutral.
Example
ما نجمش نبلع الدوا، مرّ برشا
ma njamch nebla3 eddwa, morr barcha
“I can't swallow the medicine, it's very bitter.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “tebla3” but also “tibla3”, “tebl3” and “tabla3”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent.