Free Traveler's Guide
Moroccan Arabic Phrases
Your Complete Darija Guide
Master 100+ essential Moroccan Arabic phrases with pronunciation — from greetings and bargaining to food, transport, and emergencies. Impress locals and travel deeper.
100+Phrases
8Categories
10FAQs
FreePronunciation
Why Learn Moroccan Arabic (Darija)?
Moroccan Arabic — known locally as Darija (الدارجة) — is the vibrant everyday language of Morocco's 37 million people. Unlike Modern Standard Arabic taught in schools, Darija is what you'll hear in the souks of Marrakech, the cafés of Fez, and the streets of Casablanca. It's a beautifully layered dialect shaped by Amazigh (Berber), French, and Spanish influences, making it unlike any other Arabic dialect in the world.
💡 Insider tip from Gateway2Morocco: Speaking even five words of Darija instantly transforms how locals treat you. You'll negotiate better prices, receive warmer hospitality, and access authentic experiences that most tourists never see.
Whether you're planning a private Morocco tour, exploring the Sahara Desert, or wandering the imperial cities, this guide gives you every phrase you need — presented in English, Moroccan Arabic text, and a simple pronunciation guide anyone can follow.
📖 Pronunciation Key
gh = soft gargled "r" (like French "r")kh = like "ch" in Scottish "loch"3 = a deep "a" from the throat (ع)q = deeper "k" from the throat (ق)sh = "sh" as in "shoe"ay = like "eye"oo = like "food"Greetings & Polite Expressions
The foundation of Moroccan culture — always greet before asking anything
| English | Moroccan Arabic (Darija) | Pronunciation | Usage Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello (formal) | Salaam alaikum | sa-lahm oh ah-lay-koom | Most respectful greeting; reply: "Wa alaikum salam" |
| Hello (casual) | Salam / Ahlan | sa-lahm / ah-lahn | Used between friends and with younger people |
| Goodbye | Bslama | bess-lah-ma | Said when YOU are leaving |
| Goodbye (to someone leaving) | Allah ykon m3ak | al-lah yeh-koon m3-ak | Warm blessing as someone departs |
| How are you? | Labas? / Kidayr? | la-bahs? / ki-dayr? | Labas is universal; Kidayr is to a man, Kidayra to a woman |
| I'm fine, thank God | Alhamdulillah | al-ham-doo-lil-lah | Standard positive reply; universally understood |
| Thank you | Choukran | chook-rahn | Works everywhere; add "bezzaf" for "very much" |
| Thank you very much | Choukran bezzaf | chook-rahn bez-zahf | Shows extra appreciation; locals love this |
| You're welcome | La shukran 3la wajib | la-chook-rahn 3la-wa-jib | Lit: "No thanks — it's a duty" |
| Please | 3afak / Min fadlek | 3a-fahk / min-fad-lek | 3afak is most common in daily speech |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Smahli | sma-hah-lee | Used to get attention or apologize |
| Nice to meet you | Msharfin | m-shar-feen | Said after being introduced |
| Good morning | Sbah lkhir | sba l-kheer | Reply: "Sbah nnour" (morning of light) |
| Good evening | Msa lkhir | msa l-kheer | Reply: "Msa nnour" |
| God willing | Inshallah | in-shah-al-lah | Said when speaking of future plans; very common |
| Mr. / Sir | Si / Sayyid | see / say-yid | Respectful prefix for men's names (Si Mohamed) |
| Mrs. / Madam | Lalla / Sayyida | lal-la / say-yee-da | Respectful address for women |
Essential Travel Questions
Navigate any situation with these key phrases
| English | Moroccan Arabic (Darija) | Pronunciation | Usage Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Do you speak English? | Wash tattklem bel-ingliziya? | wash tat-klem bel-in-glee-zee-ya? | Most guides in tourist areas do |
| Do you speak French? | Wash tattklem bel-fransawiya? | wash tat-klem bel-fran-sa-wee-ya? | French is widely understood |
| I don't understand | Ma fhemtsh | ma f-hemt-sh | Pair with a smile to keep things friendly |
| I don't know | Ma 3araftsh | ma 3a-raft-sh | Honest and polite |
| Please repeat that | 3awd 3afak | 3-wd 3a-fahk | Ask someone to repeat themselves |
| Please speak slowly | Hder beshwiya 3afak | hed-er besh-wee-ya 3a-fahk | Useful when conversations move fast |
| Where is …? | Fein …? | fayn …? | e.g., "Fein riyad?" = "Where is the riad?" |
| How far is it? | Shhal b3id? | sh-hal b3eed? | Follow with the destination name |
| I am lost | Ana dwa /Ana mwaddar | ah-na dwa / ah-na mo-wa-dar | Useful in narrow medina streets |
| I need help | Khassni l-musa3da | khas-nee el-mo-sa3-da | For getting assistance |
| I need a doctor | Khassni tbib | khas-nee t-beeb | Critical phrase for emergencies |
| I want to go to … | Bghit nmshi l … | bgheet nm-shee l … | e.g., "Bghit nmshi l Jemaa el-Fna" |
| Is there a toilet nearby? | Wash kayn bit lma hna? | wash kayn beet el-ma hna? | Bit lma = bathroom (lit. "water room") |
| I am American / British | Ana amriki / Britani | ah-na am-ree-kee / bri-ta-nee | Adjust nationality as needed |
Shopping & Souk Bargaining
Bargaining is expected and respected — these phrases will save you money
| English | Moroccan Arabic (Darija) | Pronunciation | Usage Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| How much is this? | Bshal hada? | b-shal ha-da? | First question in any souk transaction |
| That's expensive! | Ghaliya! | gha-lee-ya! | Say with a smile — it's part of the dance |
| Very expensive | Ghaliya bezzaf | gha-lee-ya bez-zahf | Strong signal to negotiate |
| Can you lower the price? | Imken tnaqqes shwiya? | im-ken t-na-qes shwee-ya? | Polite way to start bargaining |
| I'll give you … | Gha n3tik … | gha n3-tik … | Follow with a number in Darija |
| That's my final price | Hadi akhir taman | ha-dee ah-kher ta-man | Used to close a negotiation |
| I want to buy | Bghit nshri | bgheet n-shree | Signals genuine interest |
| I'm just looking | Ghir katsha3 | gheer ka-tsha3 | Frees you from sales pressure |
| Do you have …? | Wash 3andek …? | wash 3-an-dek …? | e.g., "Wash 3andek had l-kbir?" = "Do you have this in larger?" |
| Do you accept card? | Wash katqbal la carte? | wash kat-qbal la kart? | Most souks are cash-only — carry dirhams |
| Do you have change? | Wash 3andek sarf? | wash 3-an-dek sarf? | Small bills are essential in the medina |
| I don't want it | Ma bghitch | ma-bgheet-sh | Final word when walking away |
Food & Restaurant Phrases
Order like a local and experience Morocco's world-famous cuisine
| English | Moroccan Arabic (Darija) | Pronunciation | Usage Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| I'm hungry | Ana jian | ah-na jee-an | Common way to say you need food |
| I'm thirsty | Ana 3atshan | ah-na 3at-shan | Request water: "3tini l-ma 3afak" |
| A table for two, please | Tebla dyal jouj 3afak | teb-la dee-al jewj 3a-fahk | Most restaurants will understand |
| The menu, please | L-menu 3afak | el-men-you 3a-fahk | Menu is the same word in Darija |
| What do you recommend? | Ash tnasahni bih? | ash t-na-sa-nee bih? | Great way to find the chef's speciality |
| Delicious! | Bnin bezzaf! | b-neen bez-zahf! | Locals beam with pride when you say this |
| Without meat / I'm vegetarian | Bla lchem / Ana nabati | bla l-chem / ah-na na-ba-tee | Vegetarianism is uncommon — be specific |
| Water, please | L-ma 3afak | el-ma 3a-fahk | Stick to bottled water (l-ma l-ma3dani) |
| Mint tea, please | Atay 3afak | ah-tay 3a-fahk | Moroccan mint tea is a cultural ritual — accept it! |
| The bill, please | L-hisab 3afak | el-hee-sab 3a-fahk | Tips (10-15%) are appreciated but not mandatory |
| It's very tasty | Wald bnin | wald b-neen | Highest compliment to a cook |
Transport & Directions
Get around Morocco's cities and countryside with ease
| English | Moroccan Arabic (Darija) | Pronunciation | Usage Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| I want a taxi | Bghit taxi | bgheet tax-ee | Petit taxis are local; Grand taxis go between cities |
| To the airport, please | L-matar 3afak | el-ma-tar 3a-fahk | Always agree on a price before boarding |
| Turn right / Turn left | Dir limin / Dir lisar | deer lee-meen / deer lee-sar | Useful for directing a driver |
| Straight ahead | Niyshan | nee-shan | Keep going straight |
| Stop here | Wqef hna | w-qef hna | Tell the taxi driver where to stop |
| How much to go to …? | Bshal l …? | b-shal l …? | Always negotiate before getting in |
| Train station | Mahatta dial tren | ma-hat-ta dee-al tren | Morocco has an excellent train network |
| Bus station | Mahatta dial tobis | ma-hat-ta dee-al to-bees | CTM buses are reliable for long distances |
| Is this the road to …? | Wash had tritq lmshi l …? | wash had t-reeq l-m-shee l …? | Confirm you're on the right route |
Accommodation Phrases
From riads to hotels — check in and get settled comfortably
| English | Moroccan Arabic (Darija) | Pronunciation | Usage Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| I need a room | Bghit bit | bgheet beet | Start here when enquiring at a riad |
| For one / two nights | Lila / Lialteen | lee-la / lee-al-teen | Lila = one night; Lialteen = two nights |
| Is breakfast included? | Wash lftar dakhil? | wash el-ftar da-khil? | Breakfast (lftar) is often included in riads |
| Can I see the room? | Imken nshuf lbit? | im-ken n-shoof el-beet? | Always view before committing |
| Do you have Wi-Fi? | Wash 3andek wifi? | wash 3an-dek wee-fee? | Wi-Fi is standard in most accommodations |
| What time is check-out? | Fuqash khasni nkhrej? | foo-qash khas-nee nkh-rej? | Standard checkout is noon |
Emergency & Safety Phrases
Essential phrases we hope you never need — but should always know
| English | Moroccan Arabic (Darija) | Pronunciation | Usage Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Help! | 3awnni! / Awni! | 3-awn-nee! / aw-nee! | Shout loudly — Moroccans respond immediately |
| Call the police! | 3yyet l-polis! | 3-yet el-po-lees! | Emergency police number in Morocco: 19 |
| Call an ambulance! | 3yyet l-ambulance! | 3-yet el-am-boo-lans! | Emergency SAMU number: 15 |
| I need a doctor | Khassni tbib | khas-nee t-beeb | Major cities have good private clinics |
| I've been robbed | Sarguni | sar-goo-nee | Report to police immediately for insurance |
| I'm allergic to … | 3andi hassasiya l … | 3-an-dee has-sa-see-ya l … | Critical for food allergies — be very clear |
| I'm lost | Ana mwaddar | ah-na m-wa-dar | People in medinas are generally very helpful |
| Where is the hospital? | Fein spitar? | fayn s-pee-tar? | Spitar from the Spanish "hospital" |
Numbers in Moroccan Arabic
Master numbers to shop, bargain, and navigate Morocco with confidence
| Number | Moroccan Arabic (Darija) | Pronunciation | Tips & Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Sifr | seef-r | Used in prices and phone numbers |
| 1 | Wahad | wa-hed | Wahad dirham = 1 dirham |
| 2 | Jouj | jewj | Unique Darija word (not standard Arabic) |
| 3 | Thlata | tlel-ta | Silent initial "T" in casual speech |
| 4 | Rb3a | ar-baah | The "3" represents a throat sound |
| 5 | Khamsa | khem-sa | Khamsa is also a symbol of good luck |
| 6 | Stta | stah | Short, punchy sound |
| 7 | Sb3a | se-bah | Sb3a dirham = 7 dirhams |
| 8 | Tmnya | t-meen-ya | Nearly same as Modern Standard Arabic |
| 9 | Ts3ud | ts-ood | The "ts" is a soft sound |
| 10 | 3ashra | ah-sh-ra | 3ashra dirhams = 10 dirhams |
| 20 | 3ashrin | 3-ash-reen | Key price point in the souk |
| 50 | Khamseen | kham-seen | 50 dirhams = roughly $5 |
| 100 | Mya | m-ya | Mya dirhams is a common price |
| 1,000 | Alf | alf | Alf dirham ≈ $100 USD |
Combine numbers easily "Jouj w 3ashrin" = 22 (two and twenty)
Say the price in Darija Vendors will know you're serious and negotiate fairly
Dirham = MAD Morocco's currency; always carry small bills for the medina
Cultural Etiquette & Tips
Understanding context is as important as vocabulary
🤝 Always Greet First
In Moroccan culture, launching into a question without greeting first is considered rude. Always open with "Salam" or "Salaam alaikum" before any transaction or question.
🫖 Accept Mint Tea
When offered mint tea (atay), accept it graciously. Refusing is considered impolite. The tea-pouring ceremony is a sign of hospitality and respect.
👋 Right Hand Rule
Always use your right hand to eat, receive items, or greet someone. The left hand is traditionally considered unclean in Moroccan culture.
💰 Bargaining is Expected
In souks, the first price is never the final price. Start at 40-50% of the asking price and meet in the middle. Keep it friendly — it's a social ritual, not a confrontation.
🕌 Respect Prayer Times
Prayer is called five times a day. During Friday midday prayers, some businesses close briefly. Mosques are generally not open to non-Muslims in Morocco.
👗 Dress Respectfully
Cover shoulders and knees when visiting mosques, shrines, or rural areas. In cities like Marrakech and Casablanca, dress is more relaxed, but modest clothing always earns respect.
📸 Ask Before Photographing
Always ask permission before photographing people. Say "Imken ndir lik tswira?" (Can I take your photo?). Many will say yes — and appreciate you asking.
🌙 Ramadan Awareness
During Ramadan (dates vary each year), avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours out of respect. Many restaurants still serve tourists inside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Moroccan Arabic questions answered
Moroccan Arabic is called Darija (الدارجة), which literally means "the dialect." It is a spoken dialect distinct from Modern Standard Arabic and is shaped by centuries of Amazigh (Berber), French, and Spanish influence. You'll hear Darija everywhere — from street markets to family homes — making it the true everyday language of Morocco.
The most respectful greeting is "Salaam alaikum" (سلام عليكم), meaning "Peace be upon you." The reply is "Wa alaikum salam." For a casual hello, simply say "Salam" or "Ahlan." In northern Morocco, you may also hear "Hola" (Spanish influence).
Thank you is "Choukran" (شكرا), pronounced chook-rahn. For "thank you very much," say "Choukran bezzaf." You can also say "Baraka Llahou fik" (God bless you) as a heartfelt thanks — locals will be genuinely moved.
Darija is one of the more challenging Arabic dialects because of its unique blend of Arabic, Amazigh, French, and Spanish. However, travelers don't need fluency — learning 50 to 100 key phrases is very achievable in a week of casual study. Locals deeply appreciate any effort, no matter how small. The pronunciation guide on this page will get you started.
Yes — French is widely spoken in Moroccan cities, government offices, and the tourism industry. However, speaking even a few words of Darija shows deep respect for the local culture and consistently results in warmer hospitality, better prices, and more authentic experiences. Think of French as a backup, and Darija as your golden key.
Start by greeting the seller warmly (Salam alaikum), then ask the price (Bshal hada?). If it's high, say Ghaliya bezzaf! (Very expensive!) and propose your counter-offer with Gha n3tik [amount]. Never get angry — bargaining is friendly, social, and expected. A smile and some Darija will serve you far better than any negotiating tactic.
Morocco's official languages are Modern Standard Arabic and Tamazight (Amazigh/Berber). In daily life, most people speak Darija (Moroccan Arabic dialect). French is the language of business, education, and much of the media. Spanish is common in northern cities like Tétouan, Chefchaouen, and Tangier. In the south, Hassaniya Arabic is also spoken.
1 = Wahad | 2 = Jouj | 3 = Thlata | 4 = Rb3a | 5 = Khamsa | 6 = Stta | 7 = Sb3a | 8 = Tmnya | 9 = Ts3ud | 10 = 3ashra. See the full numbers table above for pronunciations and shopping tips.
Avoid criticising religion or the monarchy. Don't use your left hand to eat or pass items. Avoid public displays of affection in conservative areas. During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking, or smoking publicly during daylight. Never photograph people without permission, especially in rural areas or markets. These simple acts of cultural respect go a long way.
Morocco is consistently ranked among North Africa's safest destinations for tourists. Major attractions in Marrakech, Fez, Chefchaouen, and the Sahara are well-frequented and heavily monitored. As with any destination, exercise normal awareness in crowded medinas. Gateway2Morocco's private guided tours offer an extra layer of comfort and local expertise for first-time visitors.