If you’re heading to Morocco as a traveller or digital nomad, packing the usual essentials for the trip is only half the preparation. Learning a handful of basic Moroccan Arabic (Darija) phrases is the other half, and might significantly impact your experience as a visitor.
Moroccan Arabic, known as Darija, is the everyday spoken language of Morocco and differs from Modern Standard Arabic. Learning a few phrases for greetings, shopping, and directions makes travel smoother and locals warmer. Start with hello (salam), thank you (shukran), and how much (bshhal).
Even if it isn’t as smooth as the natives’, sincere attempts at Darija are usually well-appreciated. This guide gives you 50 practical Darija phrases you’ll actually use: greetings, shopping, ordering food, asking directions, handling transport, and everyday exchanges.
Explore more on Grey for digital nomads if Morocco is one of several bases on your itinerary.
What is Moroccan Arabic (Darija)?
Darija is the Arabic dialect spoken in Morocco. It is different from Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), the formal form of Arabic used in official documents, news, literature, and across the Arab world.
Over centuries, the dialect has been influenced by Berber (Amazigh) languages, French, and Spanish. This explains why the vocabulary and pronunciation can sound very different from MSA and other Arabic dialects spoken in countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon.
An Arabic speaker from Egypt or Saudi Arabia may find it difficult to follow a conversation in Darija. Most Moroccans, however, learn MSA at school and can understand it and speak more formally when needed. This means that phrases from a general Arabic phrasebook may not always be the phrases you hear in everyday conversations in Morocco.
French is also widely spoken in Morocco, a legacy of the French protectorate era, and many urban Moroccans mix French and Darija in daily conversation. Spanish has some presence in the north, near Tangier and the Spanish enclaves.
Also learn about key language phrases for digital nomads in India
Essential greetings in Moroccan Arabic
Greetings are some of the most useful Darija phrases to learn. Using them when you meet people shows respect and makes everyday interactions easier.
| Darija |
Transliteration |
English |
Pronunciation |
| السلام |
Salam |
Hello |
sah-LAHM |
| صباح الخير |
Sbah lkhir |
Good morning |
sbah lkheer |
| مساء الخير |
Msa lkhir |
Good evening |
msah lkheer |
| كيف داير؟ (to a man) |
Kif dayer? |
How are you? |
keef DIE-er |
| كيف دايرة؟ (to a woman) |
Kif dayra? |
How are you? |
keef DIE-ra |
| لباس |
Labas |
I am fine / all good |
lah-BAHS |
| بسلامة |
Bslama |
Goodbye |
bsah-LAH-ma |
| شكرا |
Shukran |
Thank you |
shoo-KRAHN |
Common courtesy phrases in Darija
Politeness is an important part of Moroccan culture. These words are used constantly in everyday interactions, whether you are shopping, taking a taxi, ordering food, or speaking to someone you have just met.
| Darija |
Transliteration |
English |
Pronunciation |
| عافاك |
Afak |
Please |
ah-FAHK |
| سمح لي |
Smah li |
Excuse me / sorry |
smah lee |
| العفو |
Lafou |
You are welcome |
lah-FOO |
| ايه |
Iyeh |
Yes |
ee-YEH |
| لا |
La |
No |
lah |
| واخا |
Wakha |
Okay / alright |
WAH-kha |
| مزيان |
Mezyan |
Good / fine |
mez-YAHN |
| بصح |
Bsah |
Really / seriously |
bsah |
Darija phrases for shopping and bargaining
Bargaining is common in Moroccan souks, especially in the medinas. These phrases can help you negotiate without being rude.
| Darija |
Transliteration |
English |
Pronunciation |
| بشحال؟ |
Bshhal? |
How much? |
bsh-HAHL |
| غالي بزاف |
Ghali bzaf |
Too expensive |
GHAH-lee bzahf |
| بغيت هادشي |
Bghit hadshi |
I want this |
b-GHEET hahd-shee |
| واش عندك؟ |
Wash andek? |
Do you have...? |
wash AHN-dek |
| نقص شوية |
Nqes shwiya |
Lower it a little |
nkes shwee-ya |
| هادا آخر تمن |
Hada akher taman |
This is my final price |
HAH-da AH-kher tah-MAHN |
| ما بغيتش |
Ma bghitsh |
I do not want it |
mah bgheetsh |
| زيد شوية |
Zid shwiya |
Add a bit more |
zeed shwee-ya |
Bargaining is normal in souks but is not expected in fixed-price shops, supermarkets, or official cooperatives. You can start by offering around half the asking price and negotiate from there. Keep the conversation friendly and patient rather than turning it into an aggressive negotiation.
Darija phrases for getting around and eating out
These practical phrases cover transport, directions, and restaurant basics.
| Darija |
Transliteration |
English |
Pronunciation |
| فين كاين؟ |
Fin kayn? |
Where is...? |
feen KAYN |
| على اليمين |
Ala lymin |
To the right |
ah-lah lee-MEEN |
| على الشمال |
Ala shmal |
To the left |
ah-lah SHMAHL |
| نيشان |
Nishan |
Straight ahead |
nee-SHAHN |
| بغيت الحساب |
Bghit lhsab |
I would like the bill |
bgheet lh-SAHB |
| الما |
Lma |
Water |
lmah |
| بلا فلفل |
Bla lflfl |
Without spice / pepper |
blah lful-FUL |
| زوين |
Zwin |
Delicious / nice |
ZWEEN |
Numbers and money phrases in Darija
These simple phrases can help when you are asking for directions, using transport, or ordering food.
| Number |
Darija |
Transliteration |
Pronunciation |
| 1 |
واحد |
Wahed |
WAH-hed |
| 2 |
جوج |
Jouj |
ZHOOSH |
| 3 |
تلاتة |
Tlata |
TLAH-tah |
| 4 |
ربعة |
Rbaa |
RBAH |
| 5 |
خمسة |
Khamsa |
KHAHM-sah |
| 6 |
ستة |
Setta |
SET-tah |
| 7 |
سبعة |
Sbaa |
SBAH |
| 8 |
تمنية |
Tmanya |
tmAN-yah |
| 9 |
تسعود |
Tsoud |
tsood |
| 10 |
عشرة |
Ashra |
ASH-rah |
| Darija |
Transliteration |
English |
Pronunciation |
| الدرهم |
Ddirham |
Dirham (currency) |
DEER-ham |
| فلوس |
Flous |
Money |
FLOOS |
| كاش |
Cash |
Cash |
KASH |
Money and travel tips for Morocco
It is not enough to learn ‘salam’ and ‘afak’. You also need to learn about Morocco’s financial system and how to manage your finances in Morocco.
The Moroccan dirham (MAD) is a closed currency. This means you cannot access, exchange, or hold it outside Morocco.
So, you have to be in Morocco physically before you can exchange your currency for dirhams. You can access exchange services at the airport, banks, or authorised exchange bureaux. Our guide on where to buy Moroccan dirham online explains the limited options and what to expect.
While you can easily pay with a card at big stalls, hotels, and tourist centres in major cities like Marrakech, Casablanca, and Rabat, card payments might not be so common in smaller towns, the medina, and local markets. So, having some cash is essential.
Withdrawing dirhams from Moroccan ATMs using a foreign card typically incurs a fee from your home bank, and the money is converted at marked-up rates. This is in addition to the fee that the local ATM might also charge you. Using a card connected to a foreign currency balance reduces the cost of card transactions.
See our guide on how to avoid ATM issues and FX losses in Morocco
A Grey virtual debit card for travel linked to a multi-currency account (USD, EUR, and GBP) can be useful for payments anywhere Visa cards are accepted across Morocco. It can also help you avoid the repeated foreign transaction fees that many standard debit cards charge.
Get a Grey card and explore Morocco without currency worries. Start today.
Frequently asked questions about Darija phrases
Is Darija hard to learn?
Darija is considered challenging for beginners, particularly because it is a spoken dialect with heavy vowel dropping and consonant clusters, and it is not commonly taught in formal Arabic language programmes, which usually focus on Modern Standard Arabic. However, learning basic conversational phrases for travel purposes is very achievable. Native French, Spanish, or Arabic speakers often find it faster to pick up conversational Darija given the language's mixed vocabulary.
Is Darija the same as Arabic?
Darija is a dialect of Arabic, but it differs substantially from Modern Standard Arabic (the formal written and broadcast Arabic used across the Arab world) and from other regional dialects such as Egyptian or Levantine Arabic. A speaker of MSA or another Arabic dialect will typically find Darija difficult to understand due to its distinct vocabulary, pronunciation, and heavy influence from Berber and French.
What language is spoken in Morocco?
Morocco has two official languages: Modern Standard Arabic and Tamazight (Berber). In everyday life, most Moroccans speak Darija (Moroccan Arabic) as their primary spoken language. French is widely used in business, education, and government, a legacy of the French protectorate period. Some communities in the Rif and Atlas mountain regions speak Berber languages as their first language.
Can you get by with French or English in Morocco?
French is very useful in Morocco, particularly in cities, business settings, and among educated Moroccans. Many signs, menus, and official documents are in French alongside Arabic. English is increasingly spoken in tourist-facing businesses, hotels, and by younger Moroccans, but it is less universal than French. Combining basic Darija phrases with French, where you can, gives the most practical coverage.
How do you say good morning in Darija?
Good morning in Darija is sbah lkhir (صباح الخير), pronounced "sbah lkheer." This is a warm and commonly used greeting in the morning across Morocco, whether you are greeting a shopkeeper, taxi driver, or hotel staff.
What is the currency used in Morocco?
Morocco uses the Moroccan dirham (MAD). It is a closed currency, meaning it cannot be legally exchanged or obtained outside Morocco. Travellers exchange currency for dirham once they arrive, either at the airport, banks, or authorised exchange bureaux. See our guide on avoiding ATM issues and FX losses in Morocco for practical tips.