50 Essential Darija Phrases for Your Trip to Morocco

You don't need to be fluent to make Moroccans smile. A few well-placed Darija phrases will open doors — literally and figuratively. Here are 50+ essential expressions organized by situation, written in the Latin script that Moroccans use when texting each other.

Darija — Moroccan Arabic — is the language of daily life in Morocco. It borrows from Standard Arabic, French, Spanish, and Amazigh, creating something entirely its own. Most phrasebooks give you Modern Standard Arabic, which Moroccans understand but never actually speak. Learning even a handful of Darija phrases signals respect, and Moroccans will light up when they hear you try. This guide gives you the real street-level language, organized by the situations you will actually find yourself in.

A Quick Note on Pronunciation

Before diving into the phrases, here is how to read the Darija Latin script you will see throughout this guide. Moroccans invented this system for texting, using numbers to represent Arabic sounds that have no English equivalent:

Symbol	Sound	Example
3	Deep throaty "a" (like saying "ah" from the back of your throat)	3likom = "ah-lee-koom"
7	Strong "h" (a breathy, forceful H)	7arr = "harr" (with emphasis)
9	Deep "k" (said from the back of the throat)	9rib = "kreeb"
kh	Like the "ch" in Scottish "loch"	khmsa = "khem-sa"
gh	A gargling "r" sound (like French "r" but deeper)	ghali = "rha-lee"
sh	Like English "sh" in "shoe"	shukran = "shoo-kran"

Do not stress about perfect pronunciation. Moroccans are incredibly patient and encouraging with anyone making the effort. Even a rough attempt will earn you a wide smile and a "Tbarkallah 3lik!" (God bless you!).

Greetings & Basics

Moroccans greet warmly and often. Don't skip this part — it matters deeply in the culture. A greeting is not just politeness in Morocco; it is a genuine ritual. People who skip greetings and jump straight to business are considered rude. Even if you are in a rush, take thirty seconds to greet properly. It sets the tone for everything that follows.

Darija	English	When to use it
Salam	Hello / Peace	Universal greeting, any time of day
Salam 3likom	Peace be upon you	More formal/respectful version
Labas?	How are you?	The standard check-in — answer: labas!
Kol shi bikhir?	Everything good?	Warmer, more personal check-in
Bslama	Goodbye	Literally "with safety" — used when parting
Shukran	Thank you	Works everywhere, always appreciated
Afak	Please	Polite requests — essential at restaurants
Smeh li	Excuse me / Sorry	Getting attention or apologizing

At the Souk (Market)

Haggling is an art in Morocco. These phrases show you know the game — and sellers will respect you for it. The souk is theater, and both buyer and seller are playing their parts. Approach it with humor and patience. Start by offering about half the asking price, then meet somewhere in the middle. Walking away is a legitimate tactic — the seller may call you back with a better offer. And remember: if you name a price and the seller accepts, you are morally committed to buying.

Darija	English	When to use it
Bshhal hada?	How much is this?	Point at the item, say this
Ghali bzzaf!	Too expensive!	Step one of every negotiation
N9ass shwiya?	Can you lower it a bit?	Polite way to start haggling
Akhir taman?	Final price?	When you're getting close to a deal
Wakha, n'akhdo	OK, I'll take it	Sealing the deal
Ma bghit-ch, shukran	I don't want it, thanks	Walking away (sometimes brings the price down)
3tini juj	Give me two	Buying multiples — juj = two
3andek shi haja khra?	Do you have something else?	Asking to see more options

At the Restaurant

Moroccan food is legendary. These phrases will help you navigate menus, express your tastes, and show appreciation for the chef. Dining in Morocco is a social experience. Meals are shared, hospitality is sacred, and refusing food can offend. If you truly cannot eat more, place your hand on your chest and say "Shba3t, shukran bzzaf" — I am full, thank you very much — with genuine warmth.

Darija	English	When to use it
Bghit atay	I want tea	Mint tea — the national drink
Bghit qahwa	I want coffee	Noss-noss = half milk, half coffee
Bghit ma	I want water	Stay hydrated — Morocco can be hot
L'addition, afak	The bill, please	French loanword everybody uses
Bnin bzzaf!	Very delicious!	The cook's favorite compliment
Shba3t	I'm full	Essential — Moroccans will keep serving you!
Bla l7am	Without meat	For vegetarians
7arr bzzaf	Very spicy	Warning or observation about the heat level

Getting Around

Whether you're in a grand taxi, a petit taxi, or lost in the medina — these will save you.

Darija	English	When to use it
Fin kayn...?	Where is...?	Fill in any place name after this
B3id wla 9rib?	Far or close?	Deciding whether to walk or take a taxi
Ddi-ni l... afak	Take me to... please	Getting in a taxi — state your destination
Wa9f hna	Stop here	Telling the taxi driver where to stop
3la liman	On the right	Giving directions to the driver
3la lisar	On the left	Giving directions to the driver
Nishan	Straight ahead	Keep going straight
Bshhal l...?	How much to...?	Always agree on taxi price before getting in!

Polite Expressions & Social Glue

These are the phrases that turn interactions from transactional to warm. Moroccans use them constantly.

Darija	English	When to use it
Inshallah	God willing	For anything in the future — even "see you tomorrow"
Hamdullah	Thank God	Response to "how are you?" or expressing gratitude
Bismillah	In the name of God	Before eating, starting a task, or entering a home
Tbarkallah	God bless (wow!)	Complimenting someone — shows no jealousy
Allah y3tik sa77a	God give you health	Thanking someone who served you or did work
Merhba	Welcome	Welcoming someone — you'll hear this a lot
B sa77a	Enjoy / bon appetit	After someone eats, drinks, or gets a haircut
Wakha	OK / Alright	The most versatile word in Darija

Emergency & Important Situations

Hopefully you won't need these, but it's wise to know them just in case.

Darija	English	When to use it
3awnuni!	Help me!	Emergency — people will come running
Fin l'hopital?	Where's the hospital?	Medical emergency
Fin l'pharmacie?	Where's the pharmacy?	Pharmacies are everywhere and very helpful
Ma fhemtch	I don't understand	Honest and respected — people will try harder
Tkellem b shwiya	Speak slowly	When someone speaks too fast
Tssna shwiya	Wait a moment	Buying yourself time
Kayn mushkil	There's a problem	Flagging an issue
Ana mrid / Ana mrida	I'm sick (m / f)	Telling someone you're unwell

At the Hotel or Riad

Riads — traditional Moroccan guesthouses built around a central courtyard — are one of the best ways to experience the country. These phrases will help you communicate with your hosts, who often speak limited English outside major tourist areas.

Darija	English	When to use it
3andi reservation	I have a reservation	Checking in — uses French loanword
Fin l-bit dyali?	Where is my room?	Getting directions to your room
Wash kayn l-ma skhun?	Is there hot water?	Important in smaller riads
Bghit nsift l-7wayj	I want to do laundry	Many riads offer laundry service
F'ashmen sa3a l-ftur?	What time is breakfast?	Riad breakfasts are legendary
Wash n9der nkhelli l-bagaj?	Can I leave my luggage?	Before checkout or between trips

Making Friends & Small Talk

Moroccans are famously warm and sociable. A little small talk goes a long way — whether you are sitting in a cafe, sharing a train compartment, or chatting with a shopkeeper between customers. These phrases will help you go beyond the transactional and into genuine human connection.

Darija	English	When to use it
Smiyti...	My name is...	Introducing yourself
Ash smiytek?	What's your name?	Asking someone's name
Mnin nta / nti?	Where are you from? (m/f)	Common question from curious locals
Ana men...	I'm from...	Add your country or city
Ka n3jebni l-Maghrib!	I love Morocco!	Instant friendship — say it and mean it
Nta / nti zwin(a)	You're kind (m/f)	A warm compliment after someone helps you
Nshoofek / Nshoofkom	See you / See you all	Casual goodbye when you plan to meet again

Mini Dialogue: At a Cafe in the Medina

Here is a realistic conversation you might have at a neighborhood cafe. Read it aloud to practice — even better, act it out with a travel partner.

Speaker	Darija	English
You	Salam! Labas?	Hello! How are you?
Waiter	Labas, hamdullah! Merhba. Ash bghiti?	Good, thank God! Welcome. What would you like?
You	Bghit atay, afak.	I'd like tea, please.
Waiter	Wakha. Bghiti shi haja khra?	OK. Would you like anything else?
You	La, shukran. Bshhal?	No, thanks. How much?
Waiter	3ashra drhem.	Ten dirhams.
You	Bnin bzzaf! Allah y3tik sa77a.	Very delicious! God give you health.
Waiter	B sa77a! Bslama.	Enjoy! Goodbye.

Notice how natural the flow is: greeting, ordering, paying, complimenting. You already know every phrase in this dialogue from the tables above. String them together and you have a real interaction — not a textbook exercise, but the kind of exchange that happens a hundred times a day across Morocco.

Bonus: Numbers You'll Need

For prices, taxi fares, and phone numbers:

Number	Darija	Number	Darija
1	wahed	6	stta
2	juj	7	sb3a
3	tlata	8	tmnya
4	rb3a	9	ts3ud
5	khmsa	10	3ashra

For bigger numbers: mya (100), alf (1000). Prices are in dirhams — drhem in Darija. You'll also hear ryal, which means 5 centimes (an old unit still used in markets). So "20 ryal" = 1 dirham. You will also want to know 3shrin (20), tlatin (30), rb3in (40), and khmsin (50) — these cover most taxi fares and restaurant bills.

Cultural Tips That Make the Phrases Work

Knowing the words is only half the equation. How you deliver them matters just as much. Here are some cultural nuances that will make your Darija land better:

Always greet first. Whether you are entering a shop, asking for directions, or getting into a taxi — start with "Salam" or "Salam 3likom." Jumping straight to a request without greeting is considered impolite. The greeting ritual might feel slow at first, but it is the foundation of every interaction in Morocco.

Use your right hand. When shaking hands, giving money, receiving items, or eating, use your right hand. The left hand is considered unclean in Moroccan culture. This is not a hard rule for tourists, but locals will notice and appreciate it.

Accept hospitality graciously. If someone invites you for tea, try to accept — even if just for a few minutes. Refusing repeatedly can offend. Moroccan hospitality is legendary and genuine. You will be offered mint tea in shops, homes, and even at a mechanic's garage. It is not a sales tactic; it is culture.

Smile and make eye contact. Moroccans communicate warmth through their eyes and expressions. A phrase delivered with a genuine smile is worth ten phrases mumbled at the floor. When you say "Shukran," look the person in the eye and mean it.

Pro tip: print this list or save it on your phone. Even attempting these phrases will transform your Morocco experience. Moroccans don't expect foreigners to speak Darija — which is exactly why it means so much when you do.

Practice all these phrases with audio pronunciation on darija.love — free.