How do you ask for water or the bill in Moroccan Darija?

These are the two phrases my guests use most after greetings, because everyone eats and everyone gets thirsty in the Moroccan heat. Water is "lma" (l-MA) — one syllable, the "l" and "m" run together. To order it politely, "3afak, lma" (a-FAK l-MA), "please, water," is all you need. If you want it cold, add "bared" (BA-red): "lma bared, 3afak." Bottled water is "lma d-l-qer3a" but honestly pointing and saying "lma" gets you there every time.

For the bill, the magic word is "l-7sab" (l-HSAB) — that "7" is another throaty "h" sound, deeper than the English one, but a normal "h" is understood fine. In a restaurant or café you catch the waiter's eye and say "l-7sab, 3afak" (l-HSAB a-FAK), "the bill, please." A classic Moroccan gesture works alongside it: a little scribble in the air with your hand, as if signing. Pair the gesture with the words and you will never be left waiting.

A few table extras that make life smoother: "atay" (a-TIE) is mint tea, the national drink, and saying "atay, 3afak" with a smile is practically a social ritual; "qahwa" (QAH-wa) is coffee; "khobz" (KHOBZ) is bread. When you want the waiter's attention to order or pay, lead with "smHa-li a sidi" — "excuse me, sir" — then your request. Stacking the polite opener in front of "l-7sab" reads as gracious rather than impatient.

One practical tip on paying: in casual cafés you often pay at the table, and tipping a few dirhams (rounding up, or 5–10 percent) is appreciated but not obligatory. If you want to say "keep the change," "khlli l-baqi" (KHLLEE l-BA-kee) does it. And if the bill looks wrong — it happens occasionally in tourist spots — calmly asking "shHal hada?" (sh-HAL HA-da), "how much is this?", item by item usually sorts it out without any drama.