Introductions and Useful Expressions in Moroccan Arabic (Darija)

I’ve had a lot of people ask over the years for resources to learn Arabic, specifically Moroccan Arabic. There’s not a lot out there and honestly, the best way I’ve learned has been to live here. I know that’s not a reality for everyone.  

The first things to learn in basic “darija” Arabic are greetings. I’m going to work through the basics you’ll need to deal with day-to-day life. This is also where most learning resources end. I’ve found very little that goes beyond basic vocabulary and phrases.

One will be the overview of terms. Another will be some type of exercise, game, or other reinforcement. (Ha, bet you didn’t know I trained as an ESL teacher too! Not an Arabic teacher but I’ve got some teaching skills up my sleeve!) I’ve transliterated the pronunciation of these words as to how they sound to my English-speaking ear.

Moroccan Arabic is typically not written in Arabic script – there are some sounds that don’t exist as Roman letters so you’ll often see them written with a number like 3, 7, or 9. I won’t get ahead of myself and am not using any of those words here. There’s no standard spelling for these words as Darija is primarily an oral language.

Here are some general tips for learning Darija:

1. Practice with native speakers: One of the best ways to learn any language is by speaking with native speakers. You can try finding a language exchange partner online, taking a language course, or attending language exchange events in your area.
2. Watch Moroccan TV shows and movies: Watching TV shows and movies in Darija can be a fun way to learn the language and pick up new vocabulary. You can find a variety of Moroccan TV shows and movies on streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. The Moroccan national channel 2M also has many video options online.
3. Listen to Moroccan music: Listening to Moroccan music can be a great way to learn new words and phrases in Darija. You can also try singing along to your favorite Moroccan songs to practice your pronunciation.

Remember, the key to learning any language is practice and persistence. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and keep practicing until you feel comfortable speaking and understanding Darija.

Some More Tips Before You Start Learning Darija

1. Start with the basics – focus on learning basic phrases and grammar before moving on to more difficult concepts.

2. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – everyone makes them when learning a new language, so don’t be discouraged if you make a few yourself.

3. Practice, practice, practice – the more you use your new language skills, the better you’ll become at them. Find opportunities to practice with native speakers or other learners.

4. Be patient – learning a new language takes time, so don’t expect to be fluent overnight – or even have some of these words stick. Keep trying and you’ll get there eventually!

5. Find a good Arabic language course – there are many different ways to learn Arabic, but finding a course that suits your needs and learning style is important.

Greetings and Introductions in Moroccan Arabic

You may already know these, and if you do take some time to review them. If you’re planning a visit to Morocco, these are some of the easy phrases you can use in situations to show people you have learned a little of the language.

Greetings in Darija

• As-salaam Alaykum   —– (literally) Peace be with you – interchangeable for “hello”
• Walaykum As-salaam —- response
• Sbah l’kheir  —– Good morning
• Labas? —- How are you?
• Labas…mama, baba, drari, rajl, mrt  —- how is your mom, dad, kids, husband, wife
• Culshi mzien? —– Everything is good?
• Alhamdulilah —— Thank God
• Culshi mzien. —– Everyone is good. (statement)
• Inta?  —– and you? (to a man)
• Intiya? —- and you? (to a woman)

Useful Expressions in Darija

• Fimt? —- Do you understand? (to a male) If you understand you can answer “Fimt” in an affirmative tone.
• Fimti? —- Do you understand? (to a female) If you understand you can answer “Fimti” in an affirmative tone.
• Iyah —- Yes
• La —- No
• Waloo —- nothing (fihmt/i waloo – I don’t understand anything)
• Ma’arft – I don’t know/I’m not sure.
• Afak —- Please.
• Shukrun —- Thank you.
• Aoudi Afak — Repeat please.
• Meshi Mushkil — It’s not a problem.
• Kayn Mushkil — It’s a problem.
• Kayna…..? —– Do you have?
• Owni afak – Help me please
• Atini…. —- I would like
• Chwiya —- a little
• Bezaf —- a lot
• Smahli — Excuse me (to a man)
• Smahaliya — Excuse me (to a woman)
• Mashallah — When something is good or nice (like “your child is so cute mashallah”)
• Bismillah — Blessing said before doing something
• Arabe — Arabic
• Ingles – English

There are many, many more useful expressions and phrases to learn but this is a small sampling to get you started!

Additional Resources to Learn Darija

More Posts on Arabic Language Learning

Learning Darija: Chores and Daily Routines

Telling Time in Darija

A Guide to Learning Arabic in Morocco

How to Learn Moroccan Arabic (Darija) When You’re Not in Morocco

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