wajeb واجب
Tunisian Derja · noun
“wajeb” (واجب) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning duty, moral obligation.
Meanings
- duty, moral obligation
- social duties (condolences, visits)
- obligatory, necessary
Usage
Wajeb refers to what one must do out of moral, religious or social obligation: 3malt wajbi (I did my duty), wajeb 3lik (it's your duty). The word is also used for courtesy obligations: visiting a sick person, offering condolences or attending a family celebration is called doing el wajeb. Finally, it is used as an adjective meaning "obligatory". For school homework, pupils tend to use the French word "devoir". The register is neutral, close to standard Arabic. In reply to thanks, people often say hadha wajbi: "it's the least I can do".
Example
ما تشكرنيش، هذا واجبي.
ma tochkornich, hedha wajbi.
“Don't thank me, it's my duty.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “wajeb” but also “wejeb”, “wajib” and “wejb”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.