20 Darija Words And Phrases To Know When Travelling To Morocco

The name given to the main language spoken in Morocco is Darija; though a form of Arabic, there are many variations between Darija and standard Arabic. While words like شكرا—pronounced shoukran (thank you)—and مرحبا —pronounced marhabaan (hello/welcome)—are useful Arabic words when travelling in Morocco, the following words are all used in Moroccan Darija, and won’t be found in their same form in standard Arabic.

Standard Arabic is generally used in an official capacity, while Darija is the language on the street. In addition to pronunciation differences and alternate grammar forms, there are also many words that are different in Darija. Some are loan words—or corruptions of loan words—often from Amazigh, French, and Spanish, while others were created in Morocco.

خزو

Pronounce it like this: Khi-zu

بزاف

Pronounce it like this: Biz-ev

توانڭ

Pronounce it like this: Twang

فرشيتة

Pronounce it like this: For-sheet-a

بريكة

Pronounce it like this: Breek-ah

كداير

Pronounce it like this: Kid-ay-er

بغيتي

Pronounce it like this: Brree-tee

اتاي

Pronounce it like this: A-tay

دابا

Pronounce it like this: Deb-bah

ماكلة

Pronounce it like this: Mack-lah

ليمونة

Pronounce it like this: Lim-oun-ah

زوين/ زوينة

Pronounce it like this: Zou-in (masculine) or Zou-in-ah (feminine)

كوزينة

Pronounce it like this: Cwis-een-ah

مش

Pronounce it like this: Mersh

ديسك

Pronounce it like this: Disk

واخا

Pronounce it like this: Wack-ah

قاع الدار

Pronounce it like this: Kaa-Dar

شانطي

Pronounce it like this: Shant-ee

طكشيتة

Pronounce it like this: Tak-sheet-ah

فين

Pronounce it like this: Feen

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