As is the case when visiting a country where you do not speak your language, communicating can be a barrier to the environment around you. Therefore, it is useful to learn some basic phrases for your trip to Morocco, where Arabic is spoken, in a variety known as Darija. In this post we show you 10 of them, which we are sure you will use often during your tour. Please note that, as this language uses a completely different alphabet from the Latin alphabet, the words listed here are an approximate transcription of their sound.
Greetings (and your response)
The most commonly used term for greeting another person with a “hello” is salam alikumwhich literally means “peace be upon you”. The person who responds to the greeting, on the other hand, usually responds with aleikum salamthat is, “with you be peace”. In informal contexts, Darija Arabic may also use the besand as a response bekheer.
Farewell
At the end of an encounter with someone, for example with a person with whom you have engaged in conversation or with whom you have interacted in some way, the following is used bessalamawhich means “goodbye“.
Please
This is a phrase that you will have to use very often to address your local interlocutors with respect. And it is said in three different ways, depending on whether it is a man, a woman or several people (plural). For a man it is used afakfor a woman afik and for several people afakum.
Thank you
This is another sign of respect and courtesy, which you should also use out of deference to your interlocutor. In this case, it is said shukran. It should not be confused with “thanks be to God”, which is called Al Hamdu lilah and is used, for example, to indicate that one is in good health.
You are welcome
As in other cultures, the “thank you” has a corresponding response, which in the case of Darija Arabic is the shuk-ra ala wa-jib. There are also other shorter formulas, such as afuan or the shukranwhich could be translated as “to you” or “thanks to you“.
Sorry
This term is also one of the basic phrases for your trip to Morocco, which you could use if, for example, you bump into someone. It is said smeh leeya.
How much does it cost
This is a basic phrase for your trip to Morocco, as you will surely want to buy some product in the medina. It is said shal kays wa had sh-shi. The response number may be in Arabic, which will be difficult to understand. But the salesperson is likely to accompany it with a finger gesture, or respond in English.
I would like to buy a…
bhuit nash-ri… This phrase can be useful to ask for something that is not in sight in the store, or that you have not found at first glance.
I want to take a…
Basic phrase to order something in a cafeteria or restaurant. It is said Ilaa ykhalleek zheeb lito which should be added the word for the product in question. It literally means “please bring me…”.
The account, please
Finally, an inescapable term at the end of each consumption, and it is said lahsaab, afakwhich you can accompany with a hand gesture.
There is no doubt that, nowadays, practically anyone can understand such phrases in English. Or even, you can manifest them by means of some simple gestures. But learning these terms will be a sign of respect and consideration for the country that is hosting you during your trip. In any case, we remind you that the staff of our agency will speak your language and, if necessary, can act as a translator in specific situations of your trip.
