Useful Darija Phrases for Travellers: Moroccan Arabic Basics
Darija is Moroccan Arabic, the everyday language of most Moroccans, mixing Arabic with Amazigh, French and Spanish words. The most useful phrases are "salam" (hello), "shukran" (thank you), "la, shukran" (no, thank you), "bshhal?" (how much?) and "bslama" (goodbye). French is widely understood too, and English is common in tourist areas.
Greetings and basics
| English | Darija (pronunciation) |
|---|---|
| Hello / peace be upon you | Salam / As-salamu alaykum |
| Reply to hello | Wa alaykum salam |
| How are you? | Labas? |
| Fine, thank God | Labas, l-hamdulillah |
| Thank you | Shukran |
| Thank you very much | Shukran bzaf |
| Please | Afak (to a man/woman: afak / afaki) |
| Yes / No | Iyyeh / La |
| Excuse me / sorry | Smeh liya |
| Goodbye | Bslama |
| God willing | Inshallah |
In the souk
| How much? | Bshhal? |
| Too expensive | Ghali bzaf |
| A little less, please | Nqess shwiya, afak |
| No thank you | La, shukran |
| I'm just looking | Ghir kanshouf |
Bargaining advice is in our souk shopping guide.
Food and drink
| Water | Lma |
| Mint tea | Atay |
| Bread | Khobz |
| Delicious | Bnin |
| The bill, please | L-hsab, afak |
| No sugar | Bla sokkar |
Numbers
1 wahed, 2 jouj, 3 tlata, 4 rb3a (rba'a), 5 khamsa, 6 setta, 7 sb3a (seb'a), 8 tmanya, 9 ts3oud (tes'oud), 10 3achra ('ashra), 20 3echrin ('eshrine), 100 mya. Note: prices are often quoted in "ryal" in markets; ask in dirhams to avoid confusion (1 dirham = 20 ryal).
Directions
| Where is...? | Fin kayn...? |
| Left / Right / Straight | L-lissar / L-limn / Nishan |
| Near / Far | Qrib / B3id |
Bonus: Tamazight words
In the Atlas villages, try "azul" (hello) and "tanmirt" (thank you). Learn more in Amazigh culture in Morocco, and practise on a day in the Berber villages of Imlil.
Words like "shukran" open doors and smiles; our guides are always happy to teach a few more on the medina walking tour. For background on the language, see Wikipedia's Moroccan Arabic article.
Book it with a local operator
- Marrakech: Medina Guided Walking Tour with Bahia Palace & Souks — from €25 per person, pay on the day.
- From Marrakech: Imlil & Three Valleys Atlas Day Trip with Berber Lunch — from €25 per person, pay on the day.
Related guides
- Moroccan Rugs Buying Guide: Beni Ourain, Boucherouite, Kilim and Fair Prices
- Solo Female Travel in Morocco: Honest Advice, Safety Tips and Best Places
- First Trip to Morocco: 25 Tips I Wish Every Traveller Knew
Frequently asked questions
How do you say thank you in Morocco?
"Shukran" in Darija (Moroccan Arabic), "merci" in French, and "tanmirt" in Tamazight in the Berber regions.
Do I need to speak Arabic in Morocco?
No. French is widely spoken and English is common in tourist areas, but a few words of Darija are much appreciated.
Is Darija the same as Arabic?
Darija is a dialect of Arabic with strong Amazigh, French and Spanish influences. Speakers of Middle Eastern Arabic may find it hard to understand at first.
What does "inshallah" mean?
It means "God willing" and is used constantly when talking about future plans.
Main photo: Petar Milošević, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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