Crash Course to Darija (Moroccan Arabic)

*This guide is not meant to be a direct translation of Darija-English, or a

comprehensive guide to Darija. It is meant only as a phonetic representation of words
that I think are most useful for a non-Arabic speaking person visiting Morocco. Please
understand that this is not enough for you to converse with Moroccans, but only the
very basics.
Greetings and Introductions
Hello: Salaam Uwalaykum. [If youre in a hurry, Salaam is also acceptable.]
How are you? (to a man): Kidayr?
How are you? (to a woman): Kidayra?
Are you well?: Labas?
I am well: Labas.
Good, thanks: Bikhir, shukran.
What is your name?: Shnu smitk?
My name is: Smiti
Nice to meet you!: Emtshar-fin.
Good morning: Sbah Lkhir
Good bye!: Bis-slama
God help you (said like good bye): Lah-Eawn
Important Questions
Excuse me (to a man): Smeh-li
Excuse me (to a woman): Smeh-liya
Where is: Fin.
Where is the toilet?: Fin ilbit l-ma?
Where is the bank?: Fin ilbank?
Is it possible? (like can I: Wash momkin?
Important Phrases
Please: Eafak
I want to go to: Bghit n-mshi
Stop: Wakf
I: Ana
My: Dyali
Im sick (female speaker): Ana mreda
Im sick (male speaker): Ana mred
I dont understand: Maf-hamtsh
Did you understand?: Wash f-hamtish?
You didnt understand? Ma-fham-tish?
I dont know: Ma-erfsh
Repeat (to a man): Eawd
Repeat (to a woman): Eawdi
Im tired (female speaker): Ana eyana
Im tired (male speaker): Ana eyan
I have: Eandi
Are you hungry?: Wash fik jue?
I am hungry: Fiya jue
I am not hungry: Ma-fiyash jue
God willing: In-shaallah

And: oo (as in hoot)

Or: ula
Showing Gratitude
Thank you: Shukran
That is great/beautiful/lovely/handsome: Zwin or zwina (masculine/feminine, but if you dont
know the gender, the point will come across with either one)
Thanks be to God: Hamdulah or Hamduliliah
Youre welcome: Blaj-mil or haniya
No problem: Meshi mushkil
Eating with Neighbors
Food: Lmakla
Delicious!: Bnin
I am full: Shbet
No, thank you: La, shukran
More please: Zidni, eafak
To your health: Bis-shaa
And to yours (response to above): Lah-itikseha

Numbers
1: Wahed
2: jooj
3: tlaeta
4: r-baa
5: khamsa
6: sstaa
7: ssbeaa
8: temniya
9: tseud
10: eshra
A lot: Bzaaf
A little: shwiya
Shopping:
Corner store: Hanut
Weekly large market: Souq
Milk: Helib
Bread: khobs
Butter: Zibda
Coffee: Kahuwa
Apples: Tfah
Bananas: Banan
Beef: Bagri
Chicken: Djej
Onions: Bisla
Potatoes: Batata
Carrots: Khizu
Tea: A-tay

Peanuts: Caucau
Yogurt: Danon
Tissues: Kleenex
Cough drops: Halls
Pads (feminine product): Always (as in the brand)
I want: Bghit
Give me (used like can I have): Etini
How much?: Bish-hal?
Money: Floos
Other important things:
The name of the currency is dirham, and there are roughly 10 dirhams to
one US dollar
People also quote prices in ryals, which is an old currency. There are 20
ryals in a dirham, so its equivalent to receiving the price in nickels. For
example, a 100 ryal kilogram of apples is 5 dirham, or $0.50. A 400 ryal
shirt is 20 dirham, or $2.00.
French will usually work, especially in the big cities and for basic things.
Most people will appreciate even one or two words in Darija, so dont be
shy!
In the big cities, it is likely that someone around you speaks at least a little
English.
Arabic has different letters than the English/Latin alphabet. In this list, I
have modified the letters to make sense to an American reader. However,
some of the letters do not translate perfectly. Consequentially, sometimes
you will say a word perfectly, and someone will not understand you. For
example, I still cant manage say eggs correctly. However, this list is, in
my opinion, a pretty good phonetic representation of the most common
words and phrases, and most people should understand.
The letters that are hard, but most important (in my opinion):
o gh should sound a bit like a gargle, or a deeper version of the
French r
o kh is like the ch in yech. It is deep in your throat.
Want more? Some books that are popular amongst Peace Corps
volunteers are:
o Shnoo the Hell is Going on Hnaa? A Practical Guide to Learning
Moroccan Darija (Shnoo means what, and Hnaa means here)
o Lonely Planets Phrasebook: Moroccan Arabic.
Other good Into to Morocco books:
o Culture Shock: Morocco (this is my absolute favorite, I still go back
to it)
o The Rough Guide to Morocco
o Lonely Planet: Travel Guide to Morocco