The official written language is Arabic and the main spoken language is Moroccan Arabic, a combination of Arabic, French and Spanish words.
French is very widely spoken throughout the country and often used to conduct business.
There are also three Berber languages: Tarifit, Tamazight, and Tashelhit.
Vocabulary
We have compiled a list of useful Moroccan Arabic vocabulary to help you prepare for your journey. Moroccans will go out of their way if you attempt to speak a few words of Moroccan Arabic.
| Greetings |
| English |
Moroccon Arabic |
Pronunciation |
| Hello |
salaam alaikum |
sa-lahm oo allahee-koom |
| Goodbye |
baslamma |
bess-lah-ma |
| How are you? |
labass |
la-bahs |
| Fine, Thank you |
alhamdulillah |
al-hahm-doo-lee-lah |
| Thank you |
choukran |
chook-rahn |
| I'm Sorry |
smahali |
sma-hah-li |
| Nice to meet you |
misharafin |
mish-arra-feen |
| God willing |
Insh’Allah |
in-shah-ahl-lah |
| Mr./Sir |
Saïd |
sah-yeed |
| Mrs./Madam |
Saida |
sah-yeed-ah |
| Miss |
Anissa |
ah-nee-sah |
| Common Questions |
| English |
Moroccon Arabic |
Pronunciation |
| Do you Speak English? |
ouesh tat tkelem belinglisia |
wesh tet te-kel lem blin-gliz- ee-yah? |
| How much is it? |
besh hal hada? |
be-shal-hal-da? |
| Is it expensive ? |
ghaliya? |
gha-lee-ya? |
| Where is…? |
fein...? |
fay-en...? |
| I need a room... |
bghit Bit |
bheet-beet... |
| I want to buy |
bghit nechr |
bgheet-nesh-ree |
| I don't know |
ma-naarafsh |
ma-nah-rafch |
| I don't understand |
ma fahemtsh |
ma-f’Emtch |
| I am lost |
ana mouaddar |
ahna mo-wa-dahr |
| I am American |
ana amiriqui |
ahna ameeri-key |
| The Airport |
lmatar |
al-ma-tarr |
| The Train Station |
mahatat al ketar |
ma-ha-tat al ket-tar |
| The Hotel |
al foundouk |
al-fun-duck |
| The Restaurant |
al mataam |
al-mat -ahm |
| The Restroom |
bit al ma |
beet-el-ma |
| The Postoffice |
al bosta |
al-bost-a |
| The Telephone |
atilifoon |
a-til-lee-foon |
| The Pharmacy |
pharmacien |
far-ma-cienn |
| The Bank |
al banca |
al- bann-ka |
| The Embassy |
sifara |
see-far-ra |
| Left |
lessar |
lis-sar |
| Right |
leemen |
lee-men |
| A Little |
shwiya |
shwee-ya |
| Too much |
bzaaf |
be-zaf |
| Dinning |
| English |
Moroccon Arabic |
Pronunciation |
| Water |
al'ma |
al'mah |
| Bread |
al’khobz |
al’khobz |
| Coffee |
al kahoua |
al kah-wa |
| Tea |
atay |
ah-tay |
| Vegetables |
al khoudra |
al-khu-dra |
| A Spoon |
al maalka |
al mahl-ka |
| A Fork |
al fourshita |
al foor-shi-ta |
| A Knife |
al mousse |
al moose |
| A Plate |
al tabssil |
al tab-seel |
| I Need |
bghit |
bgeet |
| Numbers |
| English |
Moroccon Arabic |
Pronunciation |
| 1 |
wahad |
wa-hed |
| 2 |
jouj |
jewj |
| 3 |
thlata |
tlet-ta |
| 4 |
rbaa |
ar-baah |
| 5 |
khamsa |
khem-sa h |
| 6 |
sta |
stah |
| 7 |
sbaa |
se-bah |
| 8 |
taminia |
ta-min-ee-ya |
| 9 |
tseud |
tsood |
| 10 |
aachra |
ah-she-ra |
| 20 |
aacherine |
ah-chreen |
| 50 |
khamsine |
khum-seen |
| 100 |
milla |
mee-yah |
| 500 |
khamsamya |
khum-see-mee-yah |
| 1000 |
alaf |
ah-laf |
| Days |
| English |
Moroccon Arabic |
Pronunciation |
| Sunday |
el had |
el had |
| Monday |
tneen |
t’neen |
| Tuesday |
thlat |
tlet |
| Wednesday |
larbaa |
lar-bah |
| Thursday |
el khamis |
el kha-mees |
| Friday |
el jemaa |
el j’mah |
| Saturday |
sebt |
sebt |
| Today |
el yum |
el youm |
| Tomorrow |
ghedaa |
ghe-dah |
| Yesterday |
el barah |
el-bar-a |
|
