Moroccan Arabic (Darija) Phrases for Travellers: Chat Like a Local
Looking for Moroccan Arabic phrases or basic Darija for tourists? Get started conversing with locals using my Moroccan Darija guide.
Let me start by saying that I’m nowhere near being fluent in Darija! I’m still learning….and trying to figure out whether to speak Tashelhit (the language spoken at home by my husband’s Amazigh family) or Darija (the Moroccan form of Arabic spoken by the majority of the population).
But I’m loving the process and am quickly learning that even attempting to speak Darija makes day-to-day interactions in the country more rewarding.
While many Moroccans speak French, Spanish (in the north) and increasingly English, learning a few words of Darija (Moroccan Arabic) can go a long way.
It shows respect, breaks communication barriers and often earns a friendly smile — or even a discount in the souks! Moroccans love to see visitors embracing their culture!
In this guide, I’ll highlight useful Darija phrases for travellers visiting Morocco so we can learn and improve together. It covers everything from greetings to transport, shopping and eating out, as well as emergencies and general interactions.
I’ll also share some useful Darija language resources if you want to delve a little deeper.
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Why Learn Darija?
Darija is different from Standard Arabic; it’s more casual and influenced by Amazigh, French and Spanish.
When I ask my husband whether Darija and Standard Arabic are mutually comprehensible, he says: “No”. He can understand Standard Arabic speakers because he grew up reading the Quran.
But he says that Standard Arabic speakers usually can’t understand Darija because it uses a lot of non-Arabic words. I’d be interested to know whether others share this opinion!
With all of that in mind, mastering Darija isn’t going to help with broader travels through Arabic-speaking countries. However, learning even a handful of Darija phrases will help you in Morocco to:
- Navigate markets and transport
- Build friendly rapport with locals
- Negotiate “tourist” prices in the souks
- Travel more confidently and independently
Basic Greetings in Darija
Greetings in Moroccan Arabic are really important. There’s no quick “Hi, how’s it going?” before launching into the reason behind the interaction.
If you watch Moroccans in the street, you’ll notice a long exchange as they ask how the other is (usually multiple times) before asking about the health of family members.
As this is happening, they will probably be shaking hands and kissing one another on either cheek (if they are of the same gender) before placing a hand on their own heart. It’s really beautiful to watch!
I say all of this to explain that getting your Darija greetings mastered is rewarding, even if you can’t follow it up with anything else!
Sometimes, I don’t know the Darija phrases for what I want to ask. But I always take the time for traditional Moroccan Arabic greetings before asking the person if we can switch to English or French (so I can ask my question).
| English | Darija | Pronunciation |
| Hello | Salam | sa-lam |
| Good morning | Sbāh l-khīr | sbah l-kheer |
| Good evening | Msa l-khīr | msa l-kheer |
| How are you? | Kīdayr? (m) / Kīdayra? (f) | key-dair / key-daira |
| I’m fine | Bikhir | bee-kheer |
| Goodbye | Bslama | bees-la-ma |
| Thank you | Shukran / Baraka Allahu fik | shoo-kran / ba-ra-ka al-lahu feek |
| Please | 3afak | a-faak |
| Yes / No | Iyyeh / La | ee-yeh / la |
| God willing | Inshallah | in-shah-lah |
Polite Expressions in Moroccan Arabic
If you’re feeling confident with Darija greetings, it’s time to add in a few Moroccan Arabic phrases that will help you navigate everyday situations.
In my opinion, the most important of these is: “Do you speak English/French?” This will help you switch the conversation into a language you’re more comfortable with if (when?) you reach a stumbling block.
Most Moroccans speak one of these languages (if not both) or they will know someone nearby who does.
Generally speaking, city dwellers and young people are more likely to speak European languages. In rural regions, you might have to ask around if you want to speak a language other than Darija or one of the Amazigh dialects.
| English | Darija | Pronunciation |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Smeh liya | smeh lee-ya |
| No problem | Ma kayn moshkil | ma kane mosh-keel |
| I don’t understand | Mafhemtsh | maf-hemt-sh |
| Do you speak English/French? | Kat-hdar l’englizia/ l’fransia? | kat-hdar leng-lee-zee-ya/lah-frahn-see-yah? |
| I’m a tourist | Ana tourist | a-na too-rist |
Transport & Directions
Being able to get around and between destinations is an important part of being a traveller. It’s also a great way to practice your language skills in a new country.
Finding out the cost of a taxi or asking directions to a bus/train station – these are basic Darija phrases that are useful to have in your arsenal.
Honestly, sometimes I ask these questions and then I can’t understand the answer (because I haven’t mastered my numbers)! But the taxi drivers are usually impressed that I have tried to speak their language…and after sharing a laugh at my lack of Darija skills, they usually quote a reasonable (non-tourist-price) fare.
| English | Darija | Pronunciation |
| Where is…? | Fin…? | feen…? |
| How much is the taxi? | Bshhal taxi? | b-sh-hal taxi? |
| Stop here please | Hna 3afak | hna a-faak |
| Left / Right / Straight | Lisar / Limin / Neshan | lee-sar / lee-meen / nay-shan |
| Bus station | Mahatat l-bis | ma-ha-tat l-bees |
| Train station | Mahatat tran | ma-ha-tat traan |
Souks & Shopping
Haggling is a big part of Moroccan culture, particularly in the souks. It’s good to have a few Moroccan Arabic phrases to help you negotiate prices…and it’s fun to try and bargain in another language.
Keep in mind that prices in produce markets are usually fixed – there’s no need to haggle for your fruits, vegetables and meats! But vendors often reward friendly customers – my herb man always threw in an extra bunch of mint or coriander after my (poor) attempts at speaking Darija.
| English | Darija | Pronunciation |
| How much is this? | Bshhal hadi? | b-sh-hal ha-dee? |
| Too expensive | Ghali bzaf | gha-lee bzaaf |
| Can you lower the price? | Nqss shwiya | nek-s sh-wee-ya |
| Last price? | Akhir taman? | a-kheer ta-man? |
| I’m just looking | Gheir kan-tfarraj | gher kan-tfa-raj |
Food & Restaurants
Eating is a big part of experiencing Moroccan culture, whether you’re at a restaurant or invited into someone’s home.
At tourist restaurants in Marrakech, Fes and Essaouira, the staff will speak English and/or French. But if you’re travelling to more remote parts of the country, it’s useful to have a few Darija phrases up your sleeve.
For me, being able to ask if something is “vegetarian” has been really useful in finding meat-free dishes on menus. I also regularly use “bnin” to complement a meal and “bla sokkar” (“without sugar”) to ensure my tea isn’t sweetened to the high heavens. Always remember to add an “a-faak” (“please”) at the end!
| English | Darija | Pronunciation |
| I’m hungry / thirsty | Jou3an / 3tshan | joo-aan / at-shan |
| Water / Tea | Lma / Atay | el-ma / a-tay |
| Without sugar | Bla sokkar | bla soo-kar |
| Vegetarian | Nabati | na-ba-tee |
| Delicious | Bnin | b-neen |
| Bill please | L’hisab 3afak | l-hi-sab a-faak |
Hotels & Accommodation
Unless you’re travelling to really remote parts of Morocco, it’s unlikely that you’ll find an accommodation host who doesn’t speak English or French. And these days, most bookings are made online, so there’s little negotiation left to do on arrival.
But if you do end up turning up to a guesthouse in the middle of nowhere and need to arrange a room in Darija, these basic Moroccan Arabic phrases for travellers may help.
| English | Darija | Pronunciation |
| Do you have availability? | Kayn blasa? | kyan bla-sa |
| I want a room | Bghit bit | b-reet beet |
| How much is the room? | Bshhal l-bit? | b-sh-hal beet? |
| With Wi-Fi? | M3a wifi? | ma-a wifi? |
Emergency Phrases
Lastly, these are a few useful Darija phrases for travellers, in case you find yourself in trouble or lost.
| English | Darija | Pronunciation |
| Help! | 3awnī! | aaw-nee |
| I’m lost | Taleft | ta-left |
| I need a doctor | Bghit tbbib | b-reet t-beeb |
| Call the police | Aiti l-bolis | ay-tee l-bo-lees |
Tips for Learning Darija Fast
- Listen to locals and repeat to get pronunciation right
- Use simple words when you’re starting out and build on these
- Watch Moroccan YouTubers or TikTokers
- Download phrase apps (check out Morolingo)
- Smile — being friendly and polite is more important than perfection
Quick Bonus Darija Slang (for fun!)
If I’m being honest, these are some of the Moroccan Arabic phrases/words that I have picked up the quickest because they are used so frequently by those around me. I’m always saying “yalla!” to my husband because he’s always running late! And “safy” is a useful one if someone’s piling your plate high with food.
| Darija | Meaning |
| Zwina / Mezwin | Beautiful |
| Sahbi / Sahbti | My friend (m/f) |
| Shwiya | A little bit |
| Safy | Enough |
| Kulshi mzyan | Everything’s good |
| Mashi mushkil | No problem |
| Yalla! | Let’s go! |
Yalla! Let’s Go to Morocco!
Based on my experiences in the country, I think learning a few Darija words and phrases will greatly enhance your travel experience. It will help you connect with locals, navigate destinations confidently and gain a more authentic insight into Moroccan culture.
Honestly, you don’t need to be fluent (or anywhere near fluent). Just show that you’re making an effort, be respectful in your communications and enjoy the opportunity to practice during everyday interactions.
Bslama — and yalla, to Morocco you go! 🇲🇦
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About Me
I’m Malika, an Australian-born travel writer with an intense love for Morocco. I first travelled here solo in 2014 and after meeting (and marrying) a local, I made this North African gem my home. Since that time, I have explored the country extensively, travelling to all corners with my partner, friends and on my own.
Morocco is an incredible destination and one that I think everyone who has the “travel bug” should experience. The scenery is spectacular, the medinas are enchanting and the locals are among the friendliest (and funniest) people I’ve ever met.
It’s no secret, however, that there a lot of questions and concerns voiced online about solo travel to Morocco, particularly from female travellers. So I wanted to create this resource filled with honest and up-to-date information. It’s designed to help solo travellers explore the country safely and have an amazing time along the way.
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I’m Malika, an Australian-born travel writer with an intense love for Morocco. I first travelled here solo in 2014 and after meeting (and marrying) a local, I made this North African gem my home.
Over the last 10 years, I have explored the country extensively, travelling to all corners with my partner, friends and solo.
