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80+ essential Moroccan Arabic phrases for travelers
Start every interaction with a greeting. Moroccans highly value politeness.
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Hello / Peace be upon you | Salam alaikumMost common greeting, always appropriate | سلام عليكم |
| And upon you peace (reply) | Wa alaikum salam | وعليكم السلام |
| Hello (informal) | Ahlan | أهلا |
| Good morning | Sbah l-kheir | صباح الخير |
| Good evening | Msa l-kheir | مساء الخير |
| How are you? | La-bas?Literally "no harm?" -- very common | لاباس؟ |
| I am fine, thanks be to God | La-bas, l-hamdulillah | لاباس الحمد لله |
| Thank you | Shukran | شكرا |
| Thank you very much | Barak Allahu fikMore heartfelt thank you | بارك الله فيك |
| Please | Afak | عفاك |
| Yes | Iyeh / Naam | ايه / نعم |
| No | La | لا |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Smeh liya | سمح ليا |
| Goodbye | Bslama | بسلامة |
| See you later | Nshufek men baad | نشوفك من بعد |
| God willing | InshallahUsed constantly -- means "hopefully" | إن شاء الله |
| My name is... | Smiyti... | سميتي... |
| What is your name? | Shnu smiytek? | شنو سميتك؟ |
Bargaining is expected in souks. These phrases will help you negotiate.
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| How much is this? | Bshhal hada? | بشحال هادا؟ |
| That is too expensive | Ghali bezzafKey bargaining phrase | غالي بزاف |
| Can you lower the price? | Imken tenqes? | إمكن تنقص؟ |
| What is the last price? | Shhal akher taman? | شحال آخر ثمن؟ |
| I will give you... | Naatik... | نعطيك... |
| No thank you, I am just looking | La shukran, ghir kanshuf | لا شكرا غير كنشوف |
| I do not want it | Ma bghitsh | ما بغيتش |
| I will take it | Ghanakhdu | غناخدو |
| Do you have...? | Wash aandek...? | واش عندك...? |
| This is beautiful | Hada zwin | هادا زوين |
Ordering food and navigating restaurants and street food stalls.
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| I am hungry | Ana jiaan | أنا جيعان |
| I am thirsty | Ana aatshan | أنا عطشان |
| The menu please | L-carta afak | الكارطا عفاك |
| I would like... | Bghit... | بغيت... |
| Mint tea | Atay b-naanaa | أتاي بالنعناع |
| Water | L-ma | الماء |
| Bread | KhobzServed with every meal | خبز |
| Delicious! | Bnin!Moroccans love compliments about food | بنين! |
| The bill please | L-hssab afak | الحساب عفاك |
| I do not eat meat | Ma kanakul-sh l-lhem | ما كناكلش اللحم |
| Without sugar | Bla sukkar | بلا سكر |
| Spicy | Haar | حار |
| Not spicy | Ma haar-sh | ما حارش |
| Enough / I am full | Safi / Shbaate | صافي / شبعت |
Navigate medinas and find your way around Moroccan cities.
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Where is...? | Fin kayn...? | فين كاين...? |
| Left | L-lisar | اليسار |
| Right | L-limin | اليمين |
| Straight ahead | Neeshan | نيشان |
| Near / Close | Qrib | قريب |
| Far | Baaid | بعيد |
| Stop here | Wqef hnaUseful for taxis | وقف هنا |
| I am lost | Ana tleft | أنا تلفت |
| Where is the bathroom? | Fin kayn l-toilette? | فين كاين التواليت؟ |
| Is it far from here? | Wash baaid men hna? | واش بعيد من هنا؟ |
| I want to go to... | Bghit nemshi l... | بغيت نمشي ل... |
| How far is it? | Shhal baaid? | شحال بعيد؟ |
Essential for shopping, taxis, and understanding prices.
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wahed | واحد |
| 2 | Jouj | جوج |
| 3 | Tlata | تلاتا |
| 4 | Rbaa | ربعا |
| 5 | Khamsa | خمسا |
| 6 | Stta | ستا |
| 7 | Sbaa | سبعا |
| 8 | Tmanya | تمانيا |
| 9 | Tsaoud | تسعود |
| 10 | Ashra | عشرا |
| 20 | Ashrin | عشرين |
| 50 | Khamsin | خمسين |
| 100 | MiyaImportant for prices | ميا |
| 200 | Miyatayn | ميتين |
| 500 | Khams miya | خمس ميا |
| 1000 | Alf | ألف |
Phrases you hopefully will not need, but should know.
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Help! | Aawnuni!Emergency use only | عاونوني! |
| Call the police | Ayyat l-bolis | عيط البوليس |
| Call an ambulance | Ayyat l-isbitar | عيط السبيطار |
| I am sick | Ana mrid | أنا مريض |
| I need a doctor | Khasni tbib | خاصني طبيب |
| Hospital | Sbitar | سبيطار |
| Pharmacy | Pharmacie / Farmasyan | فارماسيان |
| I lost my passport | Daat liya l-passeport | ضاعت ليا الباسبور |
| Police emergency number | 19Dial 19 for police, 15 for ambulance | 19 |
Moroccans appreciate compliments. Use these to make genuine connections.
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Beautiful (thing) | Zwin | زوين |
| Beautiful (female) | Zwina | زوينة |
| God bless you | Allah ibarek fik | الله يبارك فيك |
| Welcome | Merhba | مرحبا |
| No problem | Mashi mushkil | ماشي مشكل |
| With pleasure | B-l-farha | بالفرحة |
| May God give you health | Allah yaatik s-sahhaSaid after someone does you a favor | الله يعطيك الصحة |
| I love Morocco | Kanbghhi l-Maghrib | كنبغي المغرب |
Getting around by taxi, bus, and train.
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi | Taxi | طاكسي |
| Bus station | Mahatta dyal l-kar | محطة ديال الكار |
| Train station | La gare / Mahatta dyal l-train | محطة ديال التران |
| Airport | L-matar | المطار |
| How much to...? | Bshhal l...? | بشحال ل...? |
| Turn on the meter | Dir l-compteurImportant for petit taxis | دير الكونتور |
| Slowly please | Shwiya afak | شويا عفاك |
| I want to get off here | Bghit nzel hna | بغيت ننزل هنا |
| Is this the road to...? | Wash hadi t-triq l...? | واش هادي الطريق ل...? |
French is widely spoken in Morocco, especially in cities, hotels, and restaurants. Many signs are in both Arabic and French. These basics will help when Darija fails.
| English | French |
|---|---|
| Hello | Bonjour |
| Goodbye | Au revoir |
| Please | S'il vous plait |
| Thank you | Merci |
| How much? | Combien? |
| Where is...? | Ou est...? |
| I do not understand | Je ne comprends pas |
| Do you speak English? | Parlez-vous anglais? |
| The bill, please | L'addition, s'il vous plait |
| Excuse me | Excusez-moi |
| I would like... | Je voudrais... |
| Is it far? | C'est loin? |
Never jump straight to business. Start with "Salam alaikum" and ask how someone is doing. This applies to shops, taxis, and even asking for directions.
Use your right hand for greetings, giving/receiving items, and eating. The left hand is considered unclean in Moroccan culture.
"God willing" is used in virtually every conversation about the future. Plans, promises, and appointments all include it. It does not mean "maybe".
If offered mint tea, accept. It is a sign of hospitality and refusing may be considered rude. Three glasses is traditional.
In souks, the first price is never the final price. Bargaining is expected and is a social interaction, not confrontation. Be friendly and patient.
Moroccans regularly mix Darija, French, and sometimes Spanish or English in the same sentence. Do not be surprised to hear "Merci bezzaf" (thanks a lot).