Learn Moroccan Arabic, Arabic Language, Basic Arabic Vocabulary
The Arabic language is a Semitic language that differs from region to region within Arabic speaking countries and the Official language of 25 countries. Arabic cans usually be separated into three main variants: Classical Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic and Dialectal Arabic.
In Morocco, although official government communications and other public medias use Modern Standard Arabic, the language spoken by Moroccans is called Moroccan Arabic, or, also known as Darija. This language is quite different from the Modern Standard Arabic and can be quite hard to express yourself on the streets if you don’t know some words in Moroccan Darija. To learn French is also a good idea, just at least a few words to get you through while in the country.
On these following pages, 31BEST will try to give you a glimpse of what Darija language is all about hoping you can practice it next time you visit Morocco. Good luck.
Quick Basic Moroccan Arabic VocabularyGood morning – Sabah alkhair |
Moroccan Darija, Why to learn it?The word “Darija” itself means dialect. Darija is the Moroccan Arabic, and it is a dialect spoken in Arab areas of Morocco, and, spoken both by Arabs and Berbers. In Moroccan non-Arab regions, many people especially older man or women do not know any language but Berber. In general, Berbers know MoroccaN darija but Arabs do not know Berber. Moroccan Arabic is grammatically simpler, and, has a much more limited vocabulary compared to the classical Arabic. It has also integrated a lot of words from Berber, French, Spanish and Portuguese. The Moroccan Arabic has a pronunciation that is mostly intelligible and non-understood to other speakers of the Arab area of the Middle East, but it is usually understandable among other North African dialects in Moroccan, Algeria and in some cases in Tunisia. Moroccan Arabic is highly influenced by Berber pronunciation. . |
Quick Basic Moroccan Arabic Phrases
- I want this please – Bghit hada afak.
- How much does it cost – Bchal hada?
- Where is the main square please – Fin la plassa kbira afak?
- I must to go to my hotel - Darori nmshi fi l’hotel.
- I don’t want to be here, please let me go – Mabghitch hna, khlini nmshi afak.
Quick Basic Moroccan Arabic Vocabulary, English Arabic Vocabulary
| English | Moroccan Arabic |
| How are you? | La-bas? |
| Do you speak English? | Wash katkelem l’ingleezia? |
| Good luck | H’ad saâid |
| I’m OK | Ana labas |
| Happy new year | Sana saâida |
| How’s it going? | Labas âlaik?? |
| Is all OK? | Kolshi mezzian |
| Nice to meet you | M’tsharfin |
| If you please | Affak |
| Thank you very much | Shukran bezzef |
| What is your name? | Shnu smitik? |
| Where are you going? | Feen ghadi temshi? |
| Can you help me? | Yemken lek tâawnee |
| Excuse me | SmaH liya |
| Good morning | S’baH l’khir |
| Good evening | Leîla saâida Bislama |
| No, thank you | La shokran |
| Hi | Salaamu âleekoum |
| What’s up? | Kidayr (m) / kidayra? (f) |
| Bye | T’halla f’rasak |
| What is your job? | Fash khaddam? |
| Where are you from? | Mneen nta?(m) / mneen nti? (f) |
| You are welcome | La shokran âla wajib |
Countries that speak Arabic as Official Language
Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen
Twitter 
Plurk 
Buzz 
Delicious 
Digg 
Facebook 
MySpace 
Ping 
Reddit 
Stumble