French Glossary - Moroccan French
Introduction
French is widely spoken in Morocco, especially in urban areas, business, and tourism sectors. Moroccan French has unique characteristics, incorporating Arabic and Berber vocabulary, and differs in some pronunciation and usage from European French. This glossary covers essential French phrases for travelers in Morocco with notes on Moroccan-specific usage.
Essential Greetings & Courtesies
Basic Greetings
Bonjour
- Pronunciation: bon-ZHOOR
- Definition: Good morning / Good day / Hello
- Usage: Standard greeting until evening
- Moroccan note: Often followed by Arabic السلام عليكم in code-switching
- Response: Bonjour
Bonsoir
- Pronunciation: bon-SWAHR
- Definition: Good evening
- Usage: From late afternoon onwards
- Context: More formal than "salut"
- Response: Bonsoir
Salut
- Pronunciation: sah-LU
- Definition: Hi / Bye (informal)
- Usage: Among friends, younger people
- Formality: Casual, not for business
- Alternative: Coucou (very informal)
Au revoir
- Pronunciation: oh ruh-VWAHR
- Definition: Goodbye (formal)
- Usage: Standard farewell
- Informal: Salut, Ciao
- Moroccan: Often mixed with بسلامة (B'slama)
Bonne journée
- Pronunciation: bon zhoor-NAY
- Definition: Have a good day
- Usage: When parting in the daytime
- Evening: Bonne soirée (Have a good evening)
- Night: Bonne nuit (Good night)
Comment allez-vous?
- Pronunciation: koh-mahn tah-lay-VOO
- Definition: How are you? (formal)
- Usage: Formal address, older people, business
- Informal: Comment vas-tu? / Ça va?
- Response: Ça va bien, merci
Ça va?
- Pronunciation: sah VAH
- Definition: How are you? / How's it going? (informal)
- Usage: Most common greeting-question
- Response: Ça va bien / Ça va / Pas mal
- Moroccan: Very commonly used in daily interactions
Enchanté(e)
- Pronunciation: ahn-shahn-TAY
- Definition: Pleased to meet you / Nice to meet you
- Usage: Upon introduction
- Gender: Enchanté (m) / Enchantée (f)
- Response: Enchanté(e) also, or Moi de même
Polite Expressions
S'il vous plaît
- Pronunciation: seel voo PLAY
- Definition: Please (formal)
- Usage: Polite requests, with strangers, formal situations
- Informal: S'il te plaît
- Abbreviation: SVP (in writing)
Merci
- Pronunciation: mehr-SEE
- Definition: Thank you
- Enhanced: Merci beaucoup (Thank you very much)
- Very much: Merci mille fois (Thanks a thousand times)
- Response: De rien / Je vous en prie
De rien
- Pronunciation: duh ree-AN
- Definition: You're welcome / It's nothing
- Usage: Standard response to thanks
- Alternatives: Je vous en prie (more formal), Pas de problème
- Moroccan: Often بلا جميل (Bla jmil) in Arabic
Excusez-moi
- Pronunciation: ex-ku-zay-MWAH
- Definition: Excuse me / I'm sorry (formal)
- Usage: Getting attention, apologizing, passing through
- Informal: Excuse-moi
- Alternative: Pardon
Pardon
- Pronunciation: pahr-DOHN
- Definition: Pardon / Sorry / Excuse me
- Usage: Multi-purpose apology and request
- Repeat request: Pardon? (I didn't catch that)
- Stronger: Je suis désolé(e)
Je suis désolé(e)
- Pronunciation: zhuh swee day-zoh-LAY
- Definition: I am sorry (sincere apology)
- Usage: Genuine apologies
- Gender: Désolé (m) / Désolée (f)
- Very sorry: Je suis vraiment désolé(e)
Avec plaisir
- Pronunciation: ah-vek play-ZEER
- Definition: With pleasure / My pleasure
- Usage: Response to requests or thanks
- Alternative: Volontiers (Gladly)
- Context: Polite acceptance
Permettez-moi
- Pronunciation: pehr-meh-tay-MWAH
- Definition: Allow me / Excuse me
- Usage: Formal permission request
- Context: Polite intrusion or help offer
- Informal: Permets-moi
Numbers
Cardinal Numbers 0-20
Zéro - 0
- Pronunciation: zay-ROH
Un / Une - 1
- Pronunciation: uhn / un
- Gender: Un (masculine) / Une (feminine)
- Example: Un café / Une table
Deux - 2
- Pronunciation: duh
- Example: Deux billets (Two tickets)
Trois - 3
- Pronunciation: trwah
- Example: Trois jours (Three days)
Quatre - 4
- Pronunciation: KAH-truh
- Example: Quatre personnes (Four people)
Cinq - 5
- Pronunciation: sank
- Note: Silent 'q'
Six - 6
- Pronunciation: seess
- Before consonant: Silent 's'
Sept - 7
- Pronunciation: set
- Note: Silent 'p', silent final 't'
Huit - 8
- Pronunciation: weet
- Note: Silent 'h', silent final 't'
Neuf - 9
- Pronunciation: nuhf
Dix - 10
- Pronunciation: deess
- Before consonant: dee
Onze - 11
- Pronunciation: ohnz
Douze - 12
- Pronunciation: dooz
Treize - 13
- Pronunciation: trehz
Quatorze - 14
- Pronunciation: kah-TORZ
Quinze - 15
- Pronunciation: kanz
Seize - 16
- Pronunciation: sez
Dix-sept - 17
- Pronunciation: dee-SET
Dix-huit - 18
- Pronunciation: deez-WEET
Dix-neuf - 19
- Pronunciation: deez-NUHF
Vingt - 20
- Pronunciation: van
- Note: Silent 'gt'
Larger Numbers
Trente - 30
- Pronunciation: trahnt
Quarante - 40
- Pronunciation: kah-RAHNT
Cinquante - 50
- Pronunciation: san-KAHNT
Soixante - 60
- Pronunciation: swah-SAHNT
Soixante-dix - 70
- Pronunciation: swah-sahnt-DEESS
- Literally: "Sixty-ten"
- Note: Belgian/Swiss use "Septante"
Quatre-vingts - 80
- Pronunciation: kah-truh-VAN
- Literally: "Four-twenties"
- Note: Belgian/Swiss use "Octante" or "Huitante"
Quatre-vingt-dix - 90
- Pronunciation: kah-truh-van-DEESS
- Literally: "Four-twenty-ten"
- Note: Belgian/Swiss use "Nonante"
Cent - 100
- Pronunciation: sahn
- Example: Cent dirhams
Mille - 1,000
- Pronunciation: meel
- Example: Mille dirhams
Un million - 1,000,000
- Pronunciation: uhn meel-YOHN
Ordinal Numbers
Premier / Première - First
- Pronunciation: pruh-MYAY / pruh-MYEHR
- Gender: Premier (m) / Première (f)
- Abbreviation: 1er / 1ère
- Example: Le premier jour (The first day)
Deuxième / Second(e) - Second
- Pronunciation: duh-ZYEM / suh-GOHN(D)
- Both mean "second"
- Abbreviation: 2ème / 2e
- Example: Le deuxième étage (The second floor)
Troisième - Third
- Pronunciation: trwah-ZYEM
- Abbreviation: 3ème / 3e
Quatrième - Fourth
- Pronunciation: kah-tree-YEM
- Abbreviation: 4ème / 4e
Cinquième - Fifth
- Pronunciation: san-kee-YEM
- Abbreviation: 5ème / 5e
Dernier / Dernière - Last
- Pronunciation: dehr-NYAY / dehr-NYEHR
- Gender: Dernier (m) / Dernière (f)
- Example: La dernière fois (The last time)
Days of the Week
Lundi - Monday
- Pronunciation: luhn-DEE
- From: Jour de la Lune (Day of the Moon)
Mardi - Tuesday
- Pronunciation: mahr-DEE
- From: Jour de Mars (Day of Mars)
Mercredi - Wednesday
- Pronunciation: mehr-kruh-DEE
- From: Jour de Mercure (Day of Mercury)
Jeudi - Thursday
- Pronunciation: zhuh-DEE
- From: Jour de Jupiter (Day of Jupiter)
Vendredi - Friday
- Pronunciation: vahn-druh-DEE
- From: Jour de Vénus (Day of Venus)
- Moroccan note: Holy day, many businesses close for prayer
Samedi - Saturday
- Pronunciation: sahm-DEE
- From: Sabbat (Sabbath)
Dimanche - Sunday
- Pronunciation: dee-MAHNSH
- From: Dies Dominica (Lord's Day)
Time Expressions with Days
Aujourd'hui - Today
- Pronunciation: oh-zhoor-DWEE
- Example: Aujourd'hui, c'est lundi (Today is Monday)
Demain - Tomorrow
- Pronunciation: duh-MAN
- Example: À demain! (See you tomorrow!)
Hier - Yesterday
- Pronunciation: yehr
- Example: Hier matin (Yesterday morning)
Après-demain - Day after tomorrow
- Pronunciation: ah-pray-duh-MAN
Avant-hier - Day before yesterday
- Pronunciation: ah-vahn-yehr
Months of the Year
Janvier - January
- Pronunciation: zhahn-VYAY
- Abbreviation: janv.
Février - February
- Pronunciation: fay-vree-YAY
- Abbreviation: févr.
Mars - March
- Pronunciation: mahrs
- No abbreviation needed (short)
Avril - April
- Pronunciation: ah-VREEL
- Abbreviation: avr.
Mai - May
- Pronunciation: may
- No abbreviation needed (short)
Juin - June
- Pronunciation: zhwan
- No abbreviation needed (short)
Juillet - July
- Pronunciation: zhwee-YAY
- Abbreviation: juil.
Août - August
- Pronunciation: oot
- Abbreviation: août (sometimes aoû)
- Note: Vacation month in Morocco
Septembre - September
- Pronunciation: sep-TAHM-bruh
- Abbreviation: sept.
Octobre - October
- Pronunciation: ok-TOH-bruh
- Abbreviation: oct.
Novembre - November
- Pronunciation: noh-VAHM-bruh
- Abbreviation: nov.
Décembre - December
- Pronunciation: day-SAHM-bruh
- Abbreviation: déc.
Seasons
Le printemps - Spring
- Pronunciation: luh pran-TAHN
- Best time to visit Morocco
L'été - Summer
- Pronunciation: lay-TAY
- Hot in interior cities
- High season for tourism
L'automne - Fall / Autumn
- Pronunciation: loh-TUHN
- Pleasant weather
- Harvest season
L'hiver - Winter
- Pronunciation: lee-VEHR
- Can be cold in mountains
- Snow season in Atlas
Directions & Locations
Direction Words
Où? - Where?
- Pronunciation: OO
- Essential question word
- Example: Où est...? (Where is...?)
Ici - Here
- Pronunciation: ee-SEE
- Location indicator
- Example: C'est ici (It's here)
Là / Là-bas - There / Over there
- Pronunciation: lah / lah-BAH
- Pointing location
- Example: C'est là-bas (It's over there)
Tout droit - Straight ahead
- Pronunciation: too DRWAH
- Direction instruction
- Example: Continuez tout droit (Continue straight ahead)
À gauche - To the left / On the left
- Pronunciation: ah GOHSH
- Direction
- Turn left: Tournez à gauche
À droite - To the right / On the right
- Pronunciation: ah DRWAHT
- Direction
- Turn right: Tournez à droite
En face (de) - Across from / Opposite
- Pronunciation: ahn FAHS (duh)
- Relative location
- Example: En face de la mosquée (Across from the mosque)
À côté (de) - Next to / Beside
- Pronunciation: ah koh-TAY (duh)
- Adjacent location
- Example: À côté de l'hôtel (Next to the hotel)
Près (de) - Near / Close to
- Pronunciation: preh (duh)
- Proximity
- Example: Près du souk (Near the souk)
Loin (de) - Far (from)
- Pronunciation: lwan (duh)
- Distance
- Example: C'est loin d'ici? (Is it far from here?)
Entre - Between
- Pronunciation: AHN-truh
- Relative position
- Example: Entre la médina et la ville nouvelle (Between the medina and new city)
Devant - In front of
- Pronunciation: duh-VAHN
- Position
- Example: Devant la gare (In front of the station)
Derrière - Behind
- Pronunciation: deh-RYEHR
- Position
- Example: Derrière le musée (Behind the museum)
Au-dessus (de) - Above / Over
- Pronunciation: oh-duh-SU (duh)
- Vertical position
- Example: Au-dessus du restaurant (Above the restaurant)
En dessous (de) - Below / Under
- Pronunciation: ahn duh-SOO (duh)
- Vertical position
- Example: En dessous de la terrasse (Below the terrace)
Au bout (de) - At the end (of)
- Pronunciation: oh BOO (duh)
- Terminal location
- Example: Au bout de la rue (At the end of the street)
Au coin (de) - At the corner (of)
- Pronunciation: oh KWAN (duh)
- Intersection
- Example: Au coin de la rue (At the corner of the street)
Places
La ville - The city / town
- Pronunciation: lah VEEL
- Urban area
- Old city: La vieille ville / La médina
- New city: La ville nouvelle
La médina - The medina / Old walled city
- Pronunciation: lah may-DEE-nah
- From Arabic مدينة
- Historic quarter
- Example: La médina de Fès
Le souk - The market / souk
- Pronunciation: luh SOOK
- From Arabic سوق
- Traditional marketplace
- Example: Le souk des épices (The spice souk)
La place - The square / plaza
- Pronunciation: lah PLAHS
- Public square
- Example: La place Jemaa el-Fna
La rue - The street
- Pronunciation: lah RU
- Roadway
- Example: La rue principale (The main street)
L'avenue - The avenue
- Pronunciation: lah-vuh-NU
- Wide street
- Example: Avenue Mohammed V
Le boulevard - The boulevard
- Pronunciation: luh bool-VAHR
- Major street
- Often abbreviated: Bd. or Boul.
La ruelle - The alley / narrow street
- Pronunciation: lah ru-EL
- Small street
- Common in medinas
Le quartier - The neighborhood / district
- Pronunciation: luh kahr-TYAY
- City area
- Example: Le quartier Gueliz (Gueliz neighborhood)
L'hôtel - The hotel
- Pronunciation: loh-TEL
- Accommodation
- Star rating: Hôtel 5 étoiles (5-star hotel)
Le riad - The riad
- Pronunciation: luh ree-YAHD
- Traditional house with courtyard
- Boutique accommodation
La maison d'hôtes - The guesthouse
- Pronunciation: lah may-ZOHN doht
- B&B style accommodation
- Alternative: Chambre d'hôtes
Le restaurant - The restaurant
- Pronunciation: luh res-toh-RAHN
- Dining establishment
- Types: Restaurant traditionnel, gastronomique
Le café - The café
- Pronunciation: luh kah-FAY
- Coffee shop
- Social gathering place
La mosquée - The mosque
- Pronunciation: lah mos-KAY
- From Arabic مسجد
- Place of worship
- Note: Usually not open to non-Muslims
Le musée - The museum
- Pronunciation: luh mu-ZAY
- Cultural institution
- Example: Le musée berbère (The Berber museum)
Le palais - The palace
- Pronunciation: luh pah-LAY
- Royal or historic palace
- Example: Le Palais de la Bahia
La kasbah - The kasbah / fortress
- Pronunciation: lah kahs-BAH
- From Arabic قصبة
- Fortified citadel
- Example: La Kasbah des Oudayas
La gare - The train station
- Pronunciation: lah GAHR
- Railway station
- Example: La gare routière (Bus station)
L'aéroport - The airport
- Pronunciation: lah-ay-roh-POHR
- Air terminal
- Example: L'aéroport Marrakech-Menara
Le port - The port / harbor
- Pronunciation: luh POHR
- Seaport
- Example: Le port de Casablanca
La plage - The beach
- Pronunciation: lah PLAHZH
- Seaside
- Example: La plage d'Essaouira
La banque - The bank
- Pronunciation: lah BAHNK
- Financial institution
- ATM: Le distributeur automatique / Le guichet automatique
La pharmacie - The pharmacy
- Pronunciation: lah fahr-mah-SEE
- Drugstore
- Green cross sign
- Night pharmacy: Pharmacie de garde
L'hôpital - The hospital
- Pronunciation: loh-pee-TAHL
- Medical facility
- Emergency: Urgences
Le commissariat - The police station
- Pronunciation: luh koh-mee-sah-RYAH
- Police headquarters
- Emergency: Appelez la police!
Les toilettes / Les WC - The restroom / toilet
- Pronunciation: lay twah-LET / lay vay-SAY
- Bathroom
- Public toilets: Toilettes publiques
Le hammam - The hammam / bathhouse
- Pronunciation: luh hah-MAHM
- From Arabic حمام
- Traditional steam bath
Shopping & Money
Money Terms
L'argent - Money
- Pronunciation: lahr-ZHAHN
- Cash
- General term for money
Le dirham - The dirham (Moroccan currency)
- Pronunciation: luh deer-HAHM
- Currency unit
- Abbreviation: DH, MAD
- Example: 100 dirhams
L'euro - The euro
- Pronunciation: luh-ROH
- European currency
- Exchange: Changez des euros
Le dollar - The dollar
- Pronunciation: luh doh-LAHR
- American currency
- USD widely exchanged
Le change - Exchange / Currency exchange
- Pronunciation: luh SHAHNZH
- Money changing
- Bureau de change: Exchange office
Le taux de change - Exchange rate
- Pronunciation: luh toh duh SHAHNZH
- Conversion rate
- Question: Quel est le taux de change? (What's the exchange rate?)
Le prix - The price
- Pronunciation: luh PREE
- Cost
- Question: Quel est le prix? (What's the price?)
Combien? - How much?
- Pronunciation: kohm-BYAN
- Price question
- Full: C'est combien? / Ça coûte combien?
Cher / Chère - Expensive
- Pronunciation: SHEHR
- Gender: Cher (m) / Chère (f)
- Too expensive: C'est trop cher
- Very expensive: C'est très cher
Bon marché - Cheap / Inexpensive
- Pronunciation: bon mahr-SHAY
- Affordable
- Alternative: Pas cher (Not expensive)
La réduction - Discount / Sale
- Pronunciation: lah ray-duk-SYOHN
- Price reduction
- On sale: En solde
- Discount: Réduction de 20%
Gratuit(e) - Free (no cost)
- Pronunciation: grah-TWEE(T)
- No charge
- Example: Entrée gratuite (Free admission)
La carte de crédit - Credit card
- Pronunciation: lah KAHRT duh kray-DEE
- Payment card
- Question: Vous acceptez les cartes? (Do you accept cards?)
L'espèces - Cash
- Pronunciation: les-PES
- Physical money
- In cash: En espèces
- Cash only: Espèces seulement
Le reçu - Receipt
- Pronunciation: luh ruh-SU
- Proof of purchase
- Alternative: La facture (Invoice/bill)
Le distributeur (automatique) - ATM
- Pronunciation: luh dees-tree-bu-TUR (oh-toh-mah-TEEK)
- Cash machine
- Also: Le guichet automatique
Shopping Phrases
Je voudrais... - I would like...
- Pronunciation: zhuh voo-DREH
- Polite request
- Example: Je voudrais un café (I would like a coffee)
Je cherche... - I'm looking for...
- Pronunciation: zhuh SHEHRSH
- Seeking something
- Example: Je cherche un hôtel (I'm looking for a hotel)
Avez-vous...? - Do you have...?
- Pronunciation: ah-vay-VOO
- Availability question
- Informal: Tu as...? / T'as...?
Il y a...? - Is there...? / Are there...?
- Pronunciation: eel-ee-AH
- Existence question
- Example: Il y a une pharmacie près d'ici? (Is there a pharmacy nearby?)
C'est combien? - How much is it?
- Pronunciation: say kohm-BYAN
- Price question
- Alternative: Ça coûte combien? / Quel est le prix?
Je vais prendre... - I'll take...
- Pronunciation: zhuh vay PRAHN-druh
- Purchase decision
- Example: Je vais prendre celui-ci (I'll take this one)
Un peu - A little / A bit
- Pronunciation: uhn PUH
- Small amount
- Example: Un peu plus (A little more)
Beaucoup - A lot / Much / Many
- Pronunciation: boh-KOO
- Large amount
- Too much: Trop (de)
Assez - Enough
- Pronunciation: ah-SAY
- Sufficient amount
- Example: C'est assez (That's enough)
Trop - Too much / Too many
- Pronunciation: TROH
- Excessive
- Example: C'est trop cher (It's too expensive)
Plus - More
- Pronunciation: PLU(S)
- Increase
- Example: Plus de pain (More bread)
- Comparative: Plus grand (Bigger)
Moins - Less / Fewer
- Pronunciation: MWAN
- Decrease
- Example: Moins cher (Less expensive)
- Comparative: Moins grand (Smaller)
Celui-ci / Celle-ci - This one (m/f)
- Pronunciation: suh-LWEE-see / sel-SEE
- Pointing near
- Example: Je préfère celui-ci (I prefer this one)
Celui-là / Celle-là - That one (m/f)
- Pronunciation: suh-LWEE-lah / sel-LAH
- Pointing far
- Example: Montrez-moi celle-là (Show me that one)
La taille - The size
- Pronunciation: lah TIE
- Clothing/shoe size
- Question: Quelle taille? (What size?)
- Sizes: Petit(e), Moyen(ne), Grand(e)
La couleur - The color
- Pronunciation: lah koo-LUR
- Hue
- Question: Quelle couleur? (What color?)
Ouvert(e) - Open
- Pronunciation: oo-VEHR(T)
- Business status
- Opening hours: Heures d'ouverture
Fermé(e) - Closed
- Pronunciation: fehr-MAY
- Not open
- Closing time: Heure de fermeture
Food & Dining
Meals
Le petit déjeuner - Breakfast
- Pronunciation: luh puh-TEE day-zhuh-NAY
- Morning meal
- Usually 7-10am in Morocco
Le déjeuner - Lunch
- Pronunciation: luh day-zhuh-NAY
- Midday meal
- Main meal, typically 12-3pm
Le goûter - Afternoon snack / Tea time
- Pronunciation: luh goo-TAY
- Light meal/snack
- Around 4-5pm
Le dîner - Dinner
- Pronunciation: luh dee-NAY
- Evening meal
- Typically 8-10pm
Le repas - The meal
- Pronunciation: luh ruh-PAH
- General term for meal
- Example: Bon repas! (Enjoy your meal!)
Dining Phrases
Une table pour... - A table for...
- Pronunciation: un TAH-bluh poor
- Restaurant request
- Example: Une table pour deux, s'il vous plaît (A table for two, please)
La carte - The menu
- Pronunciation: lah KAHRT
- Restaurant menu
- Alternative: Le menu (fixed-price menu)
Le menu du jour - Today's special / Set menu
- Pronunciation: luh muh-NU du ZHOOR
- Daily special
- Often good value
L'addition - The bill / check
- Pronunciation: lah-dee-SYOHN
- Restaurant bill
- Request: L'addition, s'il vous plaît
Le pourboire - The tip / gratuity
- Pronunciation: luh poor-BWAHR
- Service charge
- Usually 10% in Morocco
Bon appétit! - Enjoy your meal!
- Pronunciation: bon nah-pay-TEE
- Meal blessing
- Response: Merci, vous aussi! (Thanks, you too!)
C'est délicieux! - It's delicious!
- Pronunciation: say day-lee-SYUH
- Food compliment
- Alternative: C'est très bon!
Je suis végétarien(ne) - I'm vegetarian
- Pronunciation: zhuh swee vay-zhay-tah-RYAN(N)
- Dietary restriction
- Gender: Végétarien (m) / Végétarienne (f)
Sans viande - Without meat
- Pronunciation: sahn VYAHND
- Dietary request
- Example: Sans viande, s'il vous plaît
Je suis allergique à... - I'm allergic to...
- Pronunciation: zhuh sweez ah-lehr-ZHEEK ah
- Allergy warning
- Example: Je suis allergique aux arachides (I'm allergic to peanuts)
Food Items
Le pain - Bread
- Pronunciation: luh PAN
- Staple food
- Types: Baguette, Pain rond (Round bread)
L'eau - Water
- Pronunciation: LOH
- Beverage
- Mineral water: L'eau minérale
- Tap water: L'eau du robinet
Le thé - Tea
- Pronunciation: luh TAY
- Beverage
- Mint tea: Le thé à la menthe (essential in Morocco)
Le café - Coffee
- Pronunciation: luh kah-FAY
- Beverage
- Black coffee: Café noir
- With milk: Café au lait, Noisette (small amount)
Le jus - Juice
- Pronunciation: luh ZHU
- Fruit juice
- Orange juice: Jus d'orange (very fresh in Morocco)
Le lait - Milk
- Pronunciation: luh LAY
- Dairy product
- Example: Café au lait (Coffee with milk)
Le sucre - Sugar
- Pronunciation: luh SU-kruh
- Sweetener
- Without sugar: Sans sucre
Le sel - Salt
- Pronunciation: luh SEL
- Seasoning
- Pass the salt: Passez-moi le sel, s'il vous plaît
Le poivre - Pepper
- Pronunciation: luh PWAHV-ruh
- Spice
- Black pepper: Poivre noir
L'huile - Oil
- Pronunciation: LWEEL
- Cooking fat
- Olive oil: L'huile d'olive
- Argan oil: L'huile d'argan (Moroccan specialty)
La viande - Meat
- Pronunciation: lah VYAHND
- Protein
- Beef: Le bœuf
- Lamb: L'agneau (very common in Morocco)
- Chicken: Le poulet
Le poisson - Fish
- Pronunciation: luh pwah-SOHN
- Seafood
- Coastal specialty
- Fresh fish: Poisson frais
Les légumes - Vegetables
- Pronunciation: lay lay-GUM
- Produce
- Mixed vegetables: Légumes variés
Les fruits - Fruits
- Pronunciation: lay FRWEE
- Produce
- Fresh fruits: Fruits frais
La salade - Salad
- Pronunciation: lah sah-LAHD
- Raw vegetables
- Moroccan salad: Salade marocaine (cooked vegetable salads)
Le couscous - Couscous
- Pronunciation: luh koos-KOOS
- Traditional dish
- National dish, typically served Friday
Le tajine - Tagine
- Pronunciation: luh tah-ZHEEN
- Slow-cooked stew
- Named after cooking vessel
La pastilla - Pastilla
- Pronunciation: lah pah-stee-YAH
- Savory-sweet pie
- Usually pigeon or chicken
La harira - Harira
- Pronunciation: lah hah-REE-rah
- Traditional soup
- Often eaten to break fast during Ramadan
Dietary Terms
Épicé(e) - Spicy
- Pronunciation: ay-pee-SAY
- Hot/spicy food
- Question: C'est épicé? (Is it spicy?)
Doux / Douce - Sweet / Mild
- Pronunciation: DOO / DOOS
- Taste descriptor
- Not spicy: Pas épicé / Doux
Salé(e) - Salty / Savory
- Pronunciation: sah-LAY
- Taste
- Savory dish: Plat salé
Amer / Amère - Bitter
- Pronunciation: ah-MEHR
- Taste
- Example: Café amer (Bitter coffee)
Acide - Sour / Acidic
- Pronunciation: ah-SEED
- Taste
- Example: Citron acide (Sour lemon)
Frais / Fraîche - Fresh / Cool
- Pronunciation: FREH / FRESH
- Quality/temperature
- Fresh produce: Produits frais
Chaud(e) - Hot (temperature)
- Pronunciation: SHOH(D)
- Temperature
- Example: Café chaud (Hot coffee)
Froid(e) - Cold (temperature)
- Pronunciation: FRWAH(D)
- Temperature
- Cold drink: Boisson froide
Cru(e) - Raw
- Pronunciation: KRU
- Uncooked
- Example: Légumes crus (Raw vegetables)
Cuit(e) - Cooked
- Pronunciation: KWEE(T)
- Prepared
- Well done: Bien cuit
- Medium: À point
- Rare: Saignant
Transportation
Le transport - Transportation
- Pronunciation: luh trahns-POHR
- Travel means
- Public transport: Transport public
Le taxi - Taxi
- Pronunciation: luh tahk-SEE
- Car for hire
- Grand taxi: Long-distance shared taxi
- Petit taxi: City taxi (can't leave city limits)
Le bus / L'autobus - Bus
- Pronunciation: luh BUS / loh-toh-BUS
- Public bus
- Bus station: La gare routière
Le train - Train
- Pronunciation: luh TRAN
- Railway
- Train station: La gare (ONCF in Morocco)
L'avion - Airplane
- Pronunciation: lah-VYOHN
- Aircraft
- By plane: En avion
Le vol - Flight
- Pronunciation: luh VOL
- Air travel
- Flight number: Numéro de vol
Le billet - Ticket
- Pronunciation: luh bee-YAY
- Travel ticket
- One-way: Aller simple
- Round-trip: Aller-retour
La voiture - Car
- Pronunciation: lah vwah-TUR
- Automobile
- Rental car: Voiture de location
Le chauffeur - Driver
- Pronunciation: luh shoh-FUR
- Person who drives
- Taxi driver: Chauffeur de taxi
La location - Rental
- Pronunciation: lah loh-kah-SYOHN
- Renting
- Car rental: Location de voiture
Le parking - Parking lot / Parking
- Pronunciation: luh pahr-KING
- Place to park
- Parking fee: Frais de parking
La route - The road / route
- Pronunciation: lah ROOT
- Roadway
- Highway: L'autoroute
Le voyage - The trip / journey
- Pronunciation: luh vwah-YAHZH
- Travel
- Bon voyage! (Have a good trip!)
Time Expressions
Quelle heure est-il? - What time is it?
- Pronunciation: kel UR ay-TEEL
- Time question
- Alternative: Il est quelle heure?
Il est... heures - It is... o'clock
- Pronunciation: eel ay... UR
- Time statement
- Example: Il est trois heures (It's 3 o'clock)
...heure(s) et quart - Quarter past...
- Pronunciation: ...UR ay KAHR
- 15 minutes after
- Example: Trois heures et quart (3:15)
...heure(s) et demie - Half past...
- Pronunciation: ...UR ay duh-MEE
- 30 minutes after
- Example: Trois heures et demie (3:30)
...heure(s) moins le quart - Quarter to...
- Pronunciation: ...UR mwan luh KAHR
- 15 minutes before
- Example: Quatre heures moins le quart (3:45)
Midi - Noon
- Pronunciation: mee-DEE
- 12:00 PM
- Example: À midi (At noon)
Minuit - Midnight
- Pronunciation: mee-NWEE
- 12:00 AM
- Example: À minuit (At midnight)
Le matin - Morning / In the morning
- Pronunciation: luh mah-TAN
- Morning time
- Example: Demain matin (Tomorrow morning)
L'après-midi - Afternoon
- Pronunciation: lah-pray-mee-DEE
- Afternoon time
- Example: Cet après-midi (This afternoon)
Le soir - Evening
- Pronunciation: luh SWAHR
- Evening time
- Example: Ce soir (Tonight / This evening)
La nuit - Night
- Pronunciation: lah NWEE
- Nighttime
- Example: Cette nuit (Tonight / Last night)
Maintenant - Now
- Pronunciation: man-tuh-NAHN
- Present moment
- Right now: Tout de suite
Tout de suite - Right away / Immediately
- Pronunciation: toot SWEET
- Immediate
- Alternative: Immédiatement
Bientôt - Soon
- Pronunciation: byan-TOH
- Near future
- Example: À bientôt! (See you soon!)
Plus tard - Later
- Pronunciation: plu TAHR
- Future time
- Example: À plus tard! (See you later!)
Toujours - Always / Still
- Pronunciation: too-ZHOOR
- Constant
- Context determines meaning
Jamais - Never
- Pronunciation: zhah-MAY
- Complete negation
- With ne: Ne...jamais
Souvent - Often
- Pronunciation: soo-VAHN
- Frequency
- Example: Je viens souvent ici (I come here often)
Parfois / Quelquefois - Sometimes
- Pronunciation: pahr-FWAH / kel-kuh-FWAH
- Occasional
- Example: Parfois il pleut (Sometimes it rains)
Rarement - Rarely / Seldom
- Pronunciation: rahr-MAHN
- Infrequent
- Example: Je vais rarement au cinéma (I rarely go to the cinema)
Question Words
Qui? - Who?
- Pronunciation: KEE
- Person question
- Example: Qui est-ce? (Who is it?)
Que? / Quoi? - What?
- Pronunciation: KUH / KWAH
- Thing question
- Que before verb, Quoi at end
- Example: Qu'est-ce que c'est? (What is it?)
Où? - Where?
- Pronunciation: OO
- Location question
- Example: Où est la gare? (Where is the station?)
Quand? - When?
- Pronunciation: KAHN
- Time question
- Example: Quand partez-vous? (When are you leaving?)
Pourquoi? - Why?
- Pronunciation: poor-KWAH
- Reason question
- Response: Parce que... (Because...)
Comment? - How?
- Pronunciation: koh-MAHN
- Method question
- Also means "What?" (didn't hear)
Combien? - How much? / How many?
- Pronunciation: kohm-BYAN
- Quantity question
- Price: C'est combien?
- Time: Combien de temps?
Quel(le)(s)? - Which? / What?
- Pronunciation: KEL
- Specific choice
- Gender/number agreement
- Example: Quelle heure? (What time?)
Lequel / Laquelle? - Which one? (m/f)
- Pronunciation: luh-KEL / lah-KEL
- Specific item
- Plural: Lesquels / Lesquelles
Formality Levels
Formal (Vous)
Used with:
- Strangers
- Older people
- Business contexts
- Service staff
- Authority figures
- Multiple people
Examples:
- Vous avez... (You have...)
- Pouvez-vous...? (Can you...?)
- Excusez-moi (Excuse me)
Informal (Tu)
Used with:
- Friends
- Family
- Children
- Peers
- Young people among themselves
Examples:
- Tu as... (You have...)
- Peux-tu...? (Can you...?)
- Excuse-moi (Excuse me)
Switching
- Start formal, wait for invitation to use "tu"
- Younger Moroccans may use "tu" more readily
- Service industry typically uses "vous"
Common Moroccan French Expressions
C'est normal - It's normal / No problem
- Very common response
- Moroccan hospitality expression
- Used to dismiss thanks or apologies
Tranquille - Calm / No worries / Cool
- From "tranquille" (calm)
- Very casual
- Example: C'est tranquille (It's all good)
Nickel - Perfect / Great
- Slang for "perfect"
- Example: C'est nickel! (That's perfect!)
Carrément - Totally / Absolutely
- Emphasis word
- Example: C'est carrément bien! (It's totally great!)
Grave - Serious / Really
- Youth slang
- Example: C'est grave bien (It's really good)
Bien sûr - Of course / Certainly
- Pronunciation: byan SUR
- Affirmation
- Alternative: Certainement
D'accord - Okay / Agreed / Alright
- Pronunciation: dah-KOHR
- Agreement
- Informal: D'acc, OK
Pas de problème - No problem
- Pronunciation: pah duh proh-BLEM
- Reassurance
- Alternative: Pas de souci
Voilà - There you go / Here it is
- Pronunciation: vwah-LAH
- Presentation
- Multi-purpose word
Allez! - Come on! / Let's go!
- Pronunciation: ah-LAY
- Encouragement
- Example: Allez, on y va! (Come on, let's go!)
Note on Moroccan French
Moroccan French differs from European French in several ways:
- Arabic/Berber influence: Many Arabic words integrated
- Pronunciation: Some sounds influenced by Arabic
- Code-switching: Frequent mixing of French and Arabic in same sentence
- Vocabulary: Some unique Moroccan terms
- Register: Often more informal/relaxed
- Numbers: Sometimes French seventy (70) is "soixante-dix" or "septante" depending on speaker
Cultural Notes
- Politeness: Always use "s'il vous plaît" and "merci"
- Greetings: Elaborate greetings show respect
- Business hours: Many businesses close 12-3pm
- Bargaining: Expected in souks, polite negotiation
- Tipping: 10% in restaurants, small tips for services
- Ramadan: Respect fasting hours, some restaurants closed during day
- Friday: Holy day, many businesses close for prayer
Pronunciation Tips
- R: Guttural, from back of throat (like Arabic)
- Silent letters: Many final consonants silent
- Nasals: -an, -en, -in, -on (through nose)
- Liaisons: Linking sounds between words
- Accents: Important for meaning (é, è, ê)
- H: Always silent at beginning
- J: Like "zh" sound, not "j" as in English
This glossary covers essential French for travel in Morocco with special attention to Moroccan usage and cultural context.