Moroccan Darija is the everyday spoken Arabic of about thirty-five million Moroccans. It is an oral dialect, distinct from Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), shaped by Berber, French and Spanish influences. With this kit, you have the bare minimum to greet, find your way and make a good impression in Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes or Tangier.
Moroccan Darija is the everyday spoken Arabic of Morocco, used by about thirty-five million people. It is an oral dialect, distinct from Modern Standard Arabic (MSA, fusha) which remains the official written language and the language of formal media. Moroccan Darija has emerged at the crossroads of classical Arabic, Berber (Tamazight) which contributed many everyday words, French (a colonial legacy and still the language of higher education and administration), Spanish (notably in the north and in Tangier) and, more marginally, Portuguese. This layering produces a lively, expressive dialect rich in religious politeness formulas (InchaAllah, Hamdullah, BarakAllahu fik). Vowels are often reduced or elided, emphatic consonants (s, t, d, q) are numerous and give Moroccan its typical sound. Moroccan Darija is rarely mutually intelligible with eastern Arabic dialects (Egyptian, Levantine, Gulf) without exposure, but stands close to Algerian Darija and Tunisian Derja, its Maghreb cousins. The language has no official spelling; it is written in Arabic script or in Latin script with digits for specific sounds (3 for ayn, 7 for hha, 9 for qaf). This kit gathers the bare essentials to greet, find your way around a home or city, order mint tea or coffee, handle an emergency and take leave politely, with a glossary of everyday words. A few Darija phrases instantly open Moroccan doors.
Here is how these phrases play out in real life. Each scene sets the stage and gathers the useful expressions.
You arrive in Casablanca early in the morning. You greet your host with a respectful Ssalamu 3laikum, receive the expected Wa 3laikum ssalam, follow up with Sbah l-khir since it is early and get a warm Sbah n-nur in reply.
The petit taxi drops you off at the riad you booked in the Marrakech medina. You spot the house (dar) at the right number, head up to the room (bit) you are given, ask where the shared kitchen (kuzina) is and note the main door (bab) to lock at night.
You sit on a cafe terrace in the late afternoon. You first ask for cold water (ma), some milk (7lib) on the side, then the ritual: a mint tea (atay) and a black coffee (qahwa) for your neighbour at the table.
You feel unwell and explain the pain to the local pharmacist. You show your pounding head (ras), watery eye (3ayn), blocked ear (wedna) and a strange taste in your mouth (fumm) so she can guide you.
On your last evening, you greet your hosts with Msa l-khir at dusk, receive a final Marhba inviting you to come back, ask Kif dayer ? to your male host to check in and Kif dayra ? to his daughter before leaving.
What you need to know before travelling to a darija marocaine-speaking country.
Moroccan Darija is an oral dialect, distinct from Modern Standard Arabic taught in schools. Latin transliteration uses digits for unique sounds (3 for ayn, 7 for hha, 9 for qaf), a convention common on social media and texts.
Salam or Ssalamu 3laikum is the most universal greeting, religiously neutral in daily use. The reply Wa 3laikum ssalam is expected; don't skip it, it's a marker of respect.
Mint tea (atay) sits at the heart of Moroccan hospitality. Refusing a glass can be poorly received; accept at least symbolically and enjoy the ritual of pouring from a height.
French is widespread in Casablanca, Rabat and the north, but slipping in a few Darija words (Shukran, 3afak) unlocks a different level of relationship, especially in souks and villages.
Bargaining is the rule in souks and with informal drivers. Negotiate with a smile, without aggression. Starting around half the asking price and moving up in steps is a good baseline.
During Ramadan, schedules shift: restaurants closed by day, intense nightlife after iftar. Eat and drink discreetly in public if you are not fasting, out of respect.
Photographing people, especially women in rural areas, without asking is poorly received. A smile, a word in Darija and a Wakha (okay) before raising the camera usually goes a long way.
The right hand is used for eating, giving and receiving, in line with tradition. Handling food or passing an object with the left hand can seem impolite in a traditional setting.
Preview. The full glossary (30 words) and all the phrases are in the PDF.
Labas
I'm fine, no harm
L7amdulillah
praise be to God
Bslama
goodbye
Tla9aw
see you soon
Lah ihfdek
may God protect you
Shukran
thank you
Bsa77a
to your health / you're welcome
3afak
please
Smah liya
excuse me / forgive me
Iyeh
yes
A hundred words, thirty key phrases, as a printable PDF. Instant download, also sent by e-mail.
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Every translation is cross-checked against at least two concordant sources among the references below.
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