Dibs on Meaning in English
expression
ˈdɪbz/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn
DIBZ-awn
dˈɪbz/ /ˈɒn
DIBZ-on
Definition
An informal way to claim the right to have or do something before others, often used among friends when several people want the same thing.
Usage & Nuances
Very informal and mostly used in spoken English, especially between kids, friends, or siblings. Common structure: 'I call dibs on...' or just 'dibs on...' at the start of a sentence. Used to reserve objects, seats, turns, etc. Not appropriate for formal situations.
Spanish: yo primero - pedir primeroPortuguese (BR): reserva - garantir primeiroPortuguese (PT): primeiro - ficar comChinese (Simplified): 我先选 - 我要Chinese (Traditional): 我先選 - 我要Hindi: पहला हक़Arabic: لي الحق في - أسبقBengali: দখল দাবি - আগে দাবিRussian: бронь - чурJapanese: 早い者勝ち - 取り合いの権利Vietnamese: xí trước - dành trướcKorean: 찜 - 먼저 찜하다Turkish: kapmak - önceden ayırtmakUrdu: پہلا حق - دعویٰ کرناIndonesian: booking duluan - pesan duluan
Example Sentences
Dibs on the last piece of cake!
basic
Who called dibs on the window seat?
basic
If you want the red cup, you have to say dibs on it.
basic
Haha, too slow—I already yelled dibs on shotgun!
natural
Whenever there's pizza, my brother always calls dibs on the biggest slice.
natural
You can't just call dibs on everything you see, you know.
natural