Morocco Language Guide
Essential Arabic and French phrases for your journey
Languages of Morocco
Greetings
| English | Darija (Moroccan) | Arabic Script | French |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello / Peace be upon you | Salam alaikum | السلام عليكم | Bonjour |
| Hello (response) | Wa alaikum salam | وعليكم السلام | Bonjour |
| Good morning | Sbah l-khir | صباح الخير | Bonjour |
| Good evening | Msa l-khir | مساء الخير | Bonsoir |
| How are you? | Labas? | كيف حالك؟ | Comment allez-vous? |
| Fine, thank God | Labas, hamdullah | الحمد لله | Bien, merci |
| Goodbye | Bslama | مع السلامة | Au revoir |
Basic Expressions
| English | Darija (Moroccan) | Arabic Script | French |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Iyeh / Naam | نعم | Oui |
| No | La | لا | Non |
| Please | Afak | من فضلك | S'il vous plaît |
| Thank you | Shukran | شكرا | Merci |
| You're welcome | La shukran ala wajib | على الرحب | De rien |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Smahli | سمح لي | Pardon |
| I don't understand | Ma fhemtsh | لا أفهم | Je ne comprends pas |
| Do you speak English? | Tatkellem ingliziya? | - | Parlez-vous anglais? |
Shopping & Bargaining
| English | Darija (Moroccan) | Arabic Script | French |
|---|---|---|---|
| How much? | Bshhal? | بكم؟ | C'est combien? |
| Too expensive | Ghali bzaf | غالي بزاف | C'est trop cher |
| Can you reduce? | Wash momkin tnqes? | - | Vous pouvez baisser? |
| Final price | Akhir taman | - | Dernier prix |
| I'll take it | Ghadi nakhdha | - | Je le prends |
| Just looking | Ghir kanshuf | - | Je regarde |
| No thank you | La shukran | لا شكرا | Non merci |
Eating & Drinking
| English | Darija (Moroccan) | Arabic Script | French |
|---|---|---|---|
| I'm hungry | Ana ji3an | - | J'ai faim |
| I'm thirsty | Ana 3tshan | - | J'ai soif |
| Water, please | Lma, afak | - | De l'eau, s'il vous plaît |
| Tea | Atay | شاي | Thé |
| Coffee | Qahwa | قهوة | Café |
| The bill, please | L-hsab, afak | - | L'addition, s'il vous plaît |
| Delicious! | Bnin! | - | Délicieux! |
| Enjoy your meal | Besseha | بالصحة | Bon appétit |
Directions & Transport
| English | Darija (Moroccan) | Arabic Script | French |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where is...? | Fin kayn...? | أين...؟ | Où est...? |
| Left | Liser | يسار | À gauche |
| Right | Limen | يمين | À droite |
| Straight | Nishan | نيشان | Tout droit |
| Near | Qrib | قريب | Près |
| Far | B3id | بعيد | Loin |
| Hotel | Otel / Funduq | فندق | Hôtel |
| Taxi | Taxi | تاكسي | Taxi |
Numbers
| English | Darija (Moroccan) | Arabic Script | French |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wahed | واحد | Un |
| 2 | Jouj | جوج | Deux |
| 3 | Tlata | تلاتة | Trois |
| 4 | Reb3a | ربعة | Quatre |
| 5 | Khamsa | خمسة | Cinq |
| 10 | 3ashra | عشرة | Dix |
| 20 | 3shrin | عشرين | Vingt |
| 100 | Mya | مية | Cent |
Cultural Expressions
Used when talking about future plans
Expression of gratitude or well-being
Said before eating or starting something
Expressing appreciation or warding off evil eye
Versatile expression of well-being
Expressing approval
Communication Tips
Start with greetings
Moroccans value proper greetings. Always say "Salam" before anything else.
Learn a few phrases
Even basic attempts at Arabic or French are deeply appreciated.
Speak slowly
If using English, speak clearly and avoid slang.
Use gestures respectfully
Hand gestures help, but avoid pointing directly at people.
Translation apps help
Google Translate works offline with downloaded languages.
French is a backup
If Arabic fails, try French - many Moroccans speak it fluently.
Pronunciation Guide
Special Sounds
A deep throat sound, similar to a constricted "a". Example: 3ashra (ten)
A breathy "h" sound from the throat. Example: 7amdullah
Like the Scottish "loch" or German "Bach". Example: khamsa (five)
Quick Tips
- Don't worry about perfect pronunciation - effort counts!
- Most consonants are similar to English
- "Q" is pronounced from the back of the throat
- "R" is rolled like in Spanish
- Emphasis is usually on the second-to-last syllable
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