Most visitors to Morocco get by with French or English in hotels, riads and tourist sites. But a handful of words in Darija, the Moroccan Arabic spoken in daily life, changes the tone of almost every exchange: a taxi driver smiles, a shopkeeper relaxes, an older woman in a village answers your greeting with a blessing. This guide gives you the phrases that are actually useful, how to pronounce them, and when to use them. It is a practical starter, not a grammar course.
Darija has no single official spelling in Latin letters, so you will see the same word written several ways (shukran, choukrane). The spellings below are simple approximations for English speakers.
Which languages are spoken in Morocco?
- Darija (Moroccan Arabic) is the everyday language for most people. It is quite different from the Modern Standard Arabic taught in textbooks, and borrows words from Amazigh, French and Spanish.
- Amazigh (Berber) languages such as Tamazight, Tachelhit and Tarifit are spoken widely, especially in the mountains, the south and the Rif. Amazigh is an official language alongside Arabic.
- French is common in business, administration, menus and signs, and in cities most adults understand it.
- Spanish is heard in the north, around Tangier and Tetouan.
- English is increasingly spoken by younger people and in tourism, but less so in small towns.
Greetings: the most important words
Greetings matter in Morocco. Starting any conversation, even a question about directions, with a greeting is expected and polite.
| Darija | Meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Salam alaykum | Peace be upon you (hello) | The standard greeting, to anyone, at any time |
| Wa alaykum salam | And upon you peace | The reply to salam alaykum |
| Labas? | All good? / How are you? | Casual follow-up; the reply is also labas (fine) |
| Kidayr? / Kidayra? | How are you? (to a man / to a woman) | Friendly, with people you have met |
| Labas, hamdullah | Fine, thanks be to God | The usual answer to how are you |
| Bslama | Goodbye | Leaving a shop, ending a call |
Politeness: please, thank you and no thank you
- Shukran means thank you. Shukran bzaf is thank you very much.
- Afak means please. Add it to any request: “Atay, afak” (tea, please).
- La, shukran means no, thank you. This is the phrase you will use most in busy medinas. Said with a smile and without stopping, it is a complete answer.
- Smeh liya means excuse me or sorry, for getting someone’s attention or squeezing past in a narrow lane.
- Llah ybarek fik (God bless you) is a warm way to thank someone who has helped you; you will often hear it said to you as well.
Shopping and bargaining
These phrases go hand in hand with our guide to bargaining in Moroccan souks.
| Darija | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bshhal? | How much? |
| Ghali bzaf | Too expensive |
| Nqes shwiya | Lower it a little |
| Akhir taman? | Final price? |
| Wakha | OK, agreed |
| Ghir kanshouf | I’m just looking |
| Bghit hadi | I want this one |
A note on prices: some people, especially in markets and older generations, count money in ryal rather than dirhams, where 20 ryal equal 1 dirham. If a price sounds surprisingly high, ask “b dirham?” (in dirhams?) to check.
Food and drink
Useful in cafés, food stalls and riads. For dishes and table manners, see eating in Morocco.
- Atay: tea (usually mint tea). Bla sukkar: without sugar. Shwiya sukkar: a little sugar.
- Qahwa: coffee. Qahwa nss nss: “half half”, coffee with milk.
- Lma: water. Qarʿa dyal lma: a bottle of water.
- Lhsab, afak: the bill, please.
- Bnin: delicious. Saying it to a cook is always appreciated.
- Ana nabati: I am vegetarian. Expect to explain further, since meat stock is common.
Getting around
- Fin kayn…?: Where is…? For example, “Fin kayn lmhetta?” (where is the station?).
- Bit lma: toilet.
- Nishan: straight on. Limen: right. Lisser: left.
- Wqef hna, afak: stop here, please (in a taxi).
- Bshhal l…?: How much to…? Agree the fare before a taxi sets off if the meter is not used.
- Bʿid? / Qrib?: Is it far? / Is it near?
In a riad or a family home
- Bghit nkhelles: I would like to pay.
- Fuqash lftor?: What time is breakfast?
- Kayn wifi?: Is there wifi? (Wifi is said much as in English.)
- Saroot: key. Lbit: the room.
- Safi, shbeʿt: That’s enough, I’m full. Useful when a generous host keeps refilling your plate.
- Tbarkallah ʿlik: a compliment meaning roughly “well done, may God bless it”, for a beautiful home, a good meal or a child’s achievement.
If you are invited for a meal, arriving with pastries or fruit and saying tbarkallah about the food will be remembered long after your Darija mistakes.
Small talk and understanding
- Smiti…: My name is…
- Ana mn…: I am from… (“Ana mn Britanya”, “Ana mn Faransa”).
- Ma fhemtsh: I don’t understand.
- Kat hder l’inglizia?: Do you speak English? Kat hder l’fransawiya?: Do you speak French?
- Shwiya b shwiya: little by little, slowly. Useful for asking someone to speak more slowly, and a common Moroccan attitude in its own right.
Numbers one to ten
Wahed (1), juj (2), tlata (3), rbʿa (4), khamsa (5), stta (6), sbʿa (7), tmanya (8), tsʿud (9), ʿashra (10). In practice, most prices in tourist areas are given in French or English numbers too, but knowing juj and tlata is handy for ordering two teas or three bottles of water.
Expressions you will hear often
- Inshallah: God willing. Used for any future plan, from “see you tomorrow” to “the bus will leave soon”.
- Hamdullah: thanks be to God, said after a meal, on arrival or when things go well.
- Bismillah: in the name of God, said before eating or starting something.
- Mashi mushkil: no problem.
- Safi: enough, that’s it, OK. One of the most versatile words in Darija.
A few words in Amazigh
In the High Atlas and the south, people often speak Tachelhit or Tamazight first. Two words go a long way: azul (hello) and tanmirt (thank you). Pronunciation and vocabulary vary from region to region, so listen to how your hosts say them and repeat.
Tips for using what you learn
- Start with the greeting, even if you switch to French or English straight after.
- Do not worry about perfect pronunciation; effort is appreciated far more than accuracy.
- Write ten phrases on your phone and practise them on the plane.
- Use la, shukran calmly and keep walking when you do not want a guide or a product.
- Listen for wakha and safi: once you hear them, you will notice them everywhere.
FAQs
Will Moroccans understand Arabic from another country?
Most will understand Modern Standard Arabic and often Egyptian or Levantine dialects from TV, but Moroccan speakers may not be easily understood by other Arabic speakers. Simple Darija phrases are the better choice for visitors.
Is French enough to travel in Morocco?
In cities and tourist areas, French is usually enough for practical needs. A few Darija greetings still make a noticeable difference, and in rural areas Darija or Amazigh may be the only shared language.
Is it rude to speak English?
No. Many people working in tourism speak good English. Just greet first, then ask politely whether they speak English.
Ready to put the phrases to use? Our free Morocco destination guides cover Marrakech, Fes, Chefchaouen, the Sahara and more, starting with the Marrakech guide.
