Morocco Language Guide: Complete Communication Resource

Languages in Morocco

Overview

Morocco is a multilingual country with a rich linguistic diversity:

Official Languages (Constitution):

1. Arabic (Darija - Moroccan dialect)
2. Tamazight (Berber) - since 2011

Widely Spoken: 3. French - de facto second language 4. Spanish - in northern regions

Growing: 5. English - among youth and tourism sector

Language Distribution

Arabic (Darija):

• Speakers: 100% of Moroccans understand it
• Type: Moroccan dialect of Arabic
• Different from: Standard/Classical Arabic
• Status: Daily communication language
• Where: Everywhere
• In writing: Rarely (Standard Arabic used instead)

Differences from Standard Arabic:

• Simplified grammar
• French loanwords
• Berber influences
• Different pronunciation
• Mutual intelligibility with Middle East: Limited

Where Each Language is Used

Arabic/Darija

Dominant In:

• Markets and souks
• Local restaurants
• Taxis and public transport
• Neighborhoods
• Family life
• Informal settings

Used For:

• Daily conversation
• Shopping
• Giving directions
• Casual interactions
• Street life

Written Arabic:

• Signs and street names
• Official documents
• News media
• Religious texts
• Government forms

French

Dominant In:

• Business
• Higher education
• Government administration
• Tourism industry
• Upscale restaurants
• Modern shops

Who Speaks It:

• Educated population
• Urban middle and upper class
• Business people
• Hotel staff
• Tour guides
• Younger generation (in cities)

Proficiency Levels:

• Fluent: 33% of population
• Conversational: Another 20-30%
• Basic: Additional 20%
• More common in: Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech
• Less common in: Rural areas, small towns

Colonial Legacy:

• French protectorate (1912-1956)
• Education system in French
• Business language
• Status symbol

Berber (Tamazight)

Three Main Dialects:

1. Tachelhit (Souss):

• Region: Anti-Atlas, Souss Valley, High Atlas (western)
• Cities: Agadir, Taroudant, Tiznit
• Speakers: 4-5 million
• Most spoken: Largest Berber group

2. Tamazight (Central):

• Region: Middle Atlas, High Atlas (central)
• Cities: Azilal, Beni Mellal, Khenifra
• Speakers: 3-4 million
• Official language named after this dialect

3. Tarifit (Rif):

• Region: Rif Mountains, northern Morocco
• Cities: Al Hoceima, Nador, Chefchaouen
• Speakers: 2-3 million
• Characteristics: Spanish influences

Where Spoken:

• Mountains (Atlas, Rif)
• Rural Berber communities
• Sahara (Tuareg dialect)
• Urban Berbers (code-switching with Arabic)

Recognition:

• Official language since 2011
• Taught in schools
• Tifinagh script (ancient Berber alphabet)
• Road signs in Berber in some areas
• Growing pride in Berber identity

Spanish

Where Spoken:

• Tangier - Very common
• Tetouan - Widely spoken
• Chefchaouen - Common
• Al Hoceima - Common
• Nador - Spoken
• Larache - Some speakers

Who Speaks It:

• Older generation (Spanish protectorate era)
• Northern Moroccans
• People who worked in Spain
• Tourism workers in north

History:

• Spanish protectorate in north (1912-1956)
• Ceuta and Melilla still Spanish
• Work migration to Spain
• Close proximity

Usefulness:

• Very helpful in north
• Less useful in south
• French more universal

English

Proficiency Levels:

• Fluent: 5-10% (youth, educated, tourism)
• Conversational: 10-15% (urban youth)
• Basic: 15-20% (youth)
• None: 60-70% (older, rural)

Where You'll Find English Speakers:

• Tourist hotels and riads
• Tour agencies
• Tourist restaurants
• Souvenir shops (tourist areas)
• Airports
• Young people (under 30)
• Major cities

Where English is Limited:

• Local restaurants
• Markets (except vendors in tourist areas)
• Taxis
• Small towns
• Rural areas
• Government offices
• Older generation

Growing Rapidly:

• English classes popular
• Youth prefer English over French
• Social media influence
• Job requirement
• Will improve significantly in coming years

Essential Phrases in Arabic (Darija)

Greetings and Basics

Hellos:

• Hello (peace be upon you): As-salamu alaikum (ah-sah-LAH-moo ah-LAY-koom)
• Response: Wa alaikum as-salam (wah ah-LAY-koom ah-sah-LAHM)
• Hi (informal): Labas? (lah-BAHS)
• Response: Labas, hamdullah (lah-BAHS, hahm-doo-LAH)

Good morning: Sabah al-khair (sah-BAH al-KHAYR)

• Response: Sabah an-noor (sah-BAH ah-NOOR)

Good evening: Masa al-khair (mah-SAH al-KHAYR)

• Response: Masa an-noor (mah-SAH ah-NOOR)

Goodbye: Bslama (bess-LAH-mah) See you later: N'shoufik men ba'd (en-SHOO-feek men BAH-ed)

Good night: Tsbah 'ala khair (tess-BAH ah-la KHAYR)

Polite Expressions

Please: Afak (ah-FAHK) or Min fadlak (min FAD-lak) Thank you: Shukran (SHOO-krahn) Thank you very much: Shukran bezaf (SHOO-krahn beh-ZAHF) You're welcome: La shukran 'ala wajib (lah SHOO-krahn AH-lah WAH-jeeb) or Afwan (AHF-wahn)

Yes: Iyeh (EE-yeh) or Na'am (NAH-ahm - formal) No: La (LAH)

Excuse me / Sorry: Smehli (SMEH-lee) No problem: Mashi mushkil (MAH-shee moosh-KEEL)

God willing (hopefully): Inshallah (in-shah-LAH) Praise be to God: Hamdullah (hahm-DOO-lah)

Essential Questions

Do you speak English? Wa'sh kat'tkellm bel-ingliziya? (wash kat-TKEL-lem bel-in-glee-ZEE-yah)

Do you speak French? Wa'sh kat'tkellm bel-franssawiya? (wash kat-TKEL-lem bel-fran-sah-WEE-yah)

I don't understand: Ma fhemtsh (mah FHEMT-sh) I don't speak Arabic: Ma kan'tkellmsh bel-'arabiya (mah kan-TKEL-lem-sh bel-ah-rah-BEE-yah)

What? Ash? (ASH) or Shnoo? (SHNOO) Where? Fein? (FAYN) When? Imta? (IM-tah) How much? B'shal? (beh-SHAHL) or Shhal? (SHAHL) Why? 'Lash? (ah-LAHSH) Who? Shkoon? (shkoon)

What is this? Ash hada? (ash HAH-dah) What's your name? Shnu smitk? (shnoo SMEE-tek) My name is... Smiti... (SMEE-tee...)

Where is...? Fein kayen...? (fayn KAY-yen) How far is...? Shhal b'id...? (shahl beh-EED)

Getting Help

Help! 'Awni! (OW-nee) I need help: Bghit mushawara (buh-GHEET moo-shah-WAH-rah) Call the police! 'Ayyet 'la al-bolees! (eye-YET ah-la al-boh-LEES) Call a doctor! 'Ayyet 'la tbib! (eye-YET ah-la teh-BEEB)

I'm lost: Ana twarekt (AH-nah twah-REKT) Can you help me? 'Awneeni afak? (ow-NEE-nee ah-FAHK)

Where is the bathroom? Fein kayen al-bit al-ma? (fayn KAY-yen al-BEET al-MAH) Where is the hospital? Fein kayen al-sbitar? (fayn KAY-yen al-SBEE-tar)

Shopping and Bargaining

How much is this? B'shal hada? (beh-SHAHL HAH-dah) Too expensive! Ghali bezaf! (GHAH-lee beh-ZAHF) or Bzef! (BZEF) Give me a good price: 'Tini tomn mzyan (ah-TEE-nee toe-MEN meh-ZEE-ahn)

I'll give you... Ana n'tik... (AH-nah en-TEEK) Final price? Tamn al-akhir? (TAH-men al-ah-KHEER) I don't want it: Ma bghitsh (mah buh-GHEET-sh)

Can you lower the price? 'Afak neqqes shwiya (ah-FAHK neck-KESS shwee-YAH) I'll take it: Nakhduh (NAH-kuh-doo) I'm just looking: Ana ghir kat'ferrej (AH-nah gheer kat-fer-REJ)

Directions

Right: L'imen (lee-MEN) Left: L'isar (lee-SAR) Straight: Neshan (nee-SHAHN) Here: Hna (HEH-nah) There: Temma (TEM-mah)

Near: Qrib (KREEB) Far: B'id (beh-EED) Next to: Hdaya (heh-DIE-yah)

Where is the hotel? Fein kayen al-hotel? (fayn KAY-yen al-oh-TEL) Where is the station? Fein kayen al-gar? (fayn KAY-yen al-GAHR) [train] Where is the bus station? Fein kayen mahattat tobis? (fayn KAY-yen mah-HAT-tat toh-BEES)

Transport

Taxi: Taxi (TAK-see) Bus: Tobis (toh-BEES) Train: Train (TRAYN) or Al-gar (al-GAHR) Car: Tomobil (toe-moh-BEEL)

Take me to... Wselni l... (WES-sel-nee el...) Stop here: Wqef hna (WAH-kef HEH-nah) How much to...? Shhal l...? (SHAHL el...)

Airport: Matar (mah-TAHR) Station: Gar (GAHR) or Mahatta (mah-HAT-tah)

Food and Dining

I'm hungry: Ana ju'an (AH-nah joo-AHN) I'm thirsty: Ana 'atshan (AH-nah aht-SHAHN)

Water: Ma (MAH) Bread: Khobz (khobz) Coffee: Qahwa (KAH-wah) Tea: Atay (ah-TAY) Mint tea: Atay ben'na'na (ah-TAY ben-NAH-nah) Milk: Hlib (hleeb) Sugar: Sukkar (SOOK-kar)

Meat: L'ham (leh-HAM) Chicken: Djaj (JAH-jeh) Fish: Hoot (hoot) Vegetables: Khodra (KHOD-rah) Fruit: Fakya (FAH-kee-yah)

Food: Makla (MAH-klah) The bill, please: Al-hisab afak (al-hee-SAHB ah-FAHK)

Delicious: Bnin (beh-NEEN) I'm full: Ana shb'an (AH-nah sheb-AHN)

Without meat: Bla l'ham (blah leh-HAM) Not spicy: Mashi harr (MAH-shee HAHR)

Accommodation

Hotel: Hotel (oh-TEL) Room: Bit (BEET) Bed: Namosiya (nah-moo-SEE-yah) Bathroom: Bit al-ma (BEET al-MAH) Hot water: Ma skhun (MAH skh-OON) Cold water: Ma bared (MAH BAH-red)

I have a reservation: 'Andi réservation (AHN-dee reh-ser-vah-see-OHN) How much per night? Shhal fel-lila? (SHAHL fel-LEE-lah)

Time Expressions

Now: Daba (DAH-bah) Later: Men ba'd (men BAH-ed) Today: Al-yuma (al-YOO-mah) Tomorrow: Ghedda (GHED-dah) Yesterday: Al-barah (al-BAH-rah)

Morning: Sbah (SBAH) Afternoon: Al-'ashiya (al-ah-SHEE-yah) Evening: Al-'shiya (al-SHEE-yah) Night: Al-lil (al-LEEL)

What time is it? Shhal f'sa'a? (SHAHL fes-SAH-ah) One hour: Sa'a (SAH-ah) One minute: Deqiqa (deh-KEE-kah)

Common Words

Big: Kbir (keh-BEER) Small: Sghir (sgeh-GHEER) Good: Mzyan (meh-ZEE-ahn) Bad: Khayb (KHAY-eb) Beautiful: Zwin (ZWEEN) New: Jdid (jeh-DEED) Old: Qdim (keh-DEEM)

Hot: Skhun (skh-OON) Cold: Bared (BAH-red) Clean: Nqi (neh-KEE) Dirty: Wesekh (weh-SEKH)

Open: Mhol (meh-HOLL) Closed: Mqfel (meh-FELL) Empty: Khawi (KHAH-wee) Full: 'Ammer (AHM-mer)

Man: Rajel (RAH-jel) Woman: Mra (meh-RAH) Boy: Drari (deh-RAH-ree) Girl: Bent (BENT)

Numbers (Arabic)

0: Sifr (seefr) 1: Wahd (WAH-hed) 2: Jouj (JOOJ) 3: Tlata (teh-LAH-tah) 4: Arb'a (ARE-bah) 5: Khamsa (KHAM-sah) 6: Setta (SET-tah) 7: Seb'a (SEB-ah) 8: Tmenia (teh-MEN-yah) 9: Tes'ud (TES-ood) 10: 'Ashra (ASH-rah)

11: Hdash (HEH-dash) 12: Tnash (TEH-nash) 13: Tlettash (teh-LET-tash) 14: Arb'tash (ARE-beh-tash) 15: Khemstash (KHEMS-tash) 16: Settash (SET-tash) 17: Seb'tash (SEB-ah-tash) 18: Tmentash (teh-MEN-tash) 19: Tse'tash (TSEH-ah-tash) 20: 'Ashrin (ASH-reen)

30: Tlatin (teh-LAH-teen) 40: Arb'in (ARE-been) 50: Khamsin (KHAM-seen) 60: Settin (SET-teen) 70: Seb'in (SEB-een) 80: Tmanin (teh-MAH-neen) 90: Tes'in (TES-een) 100: Miya (MEE-yah) 200: Miyatein (mee-yah-TAYN) 1000: Alf (ALF)

Days of the Week

Monday: Tnin (TEH-neen) Tuesday: Tlat (TEH-laht) Wednesday: Larb'a (LAR-bah) Thursday: Lkhamis (el-KHAH-mees) Friday: Jum'a (JOO-mah) Saturday: Sebt (SEBT) Sunday: Al-had (al-HAHD)

Essential Phrases in French

Greetings

Hello: Bonjour (bon-ZHOOR) Good evening: Bonsoir (bon-SWAHR) Goodbye: Au revoir (oh reh-VWAHR) See you later: À tout à l'heure (ah too tah-LEUR) Good night: Bonne nuit (bon NWEE) Hi (informal): Salut (sah-LU)

How are you? Comment allez-vous? (koh-mohn tah-lay-VOO) [formal] How are you? Ça va? (sah-VAH) [informal] Fine, thank you: Ça va bien, merci (sah-vah-bee-EN, mehr-SEE)

Polite Expressions

Please: S'il vous plaît (see voo PLAY) Thank you: Merci (mehr-SEE) Thank you very much: Merci beaucoup (mehr-SEE boh-KOO) You're welcome: De rien (deh ree-EN) or Je vous en prie (zheh voo zahn PREE)

Yes: Oui (WEE) No: Non (nohn) Excuse me/Sorry: Pardon (pahr-DOHN) or Excusez-moi (ex-koo-ZAY-mwah)

Mr.: Monsieur (meh-SYEU) Mrs./Ms.: Madame (mah-DAHM) Miss: Mademoiselle (mahd-mwah-ZEL)

Essential Questions

Do you speak English? Parlez-vous anglais? (pahr-lay-voo ahn-GLAY) I don't understand: Je ne comprends pas (zheh neh kohm-prahn PAH) I don't speak French: Je ne parle pas français (zheh neh pahrl pah frahn-SAY)

What? Quoi? (KWAH) or Comment? (koh-MAHN) Where? Où? (OO) When? Quand? (kahn) How much? Combien? (kohm-bee-EN) Why? Pourquoi? (poor-KWAH) Who? Qui? (KEE) How? Comment? (koh-MAHN)

What is this? Qu'est-ce que c'est? (kess-keh-SAY) What's your name? Comment vous appelez-vous? (koh-mahn voo zah-play-VOO) My name is... Je m'appelle... (zheh mah-PELL)

Where is...? Où est...? (oo-AY) How far is...? C'est à quelle distance...? (say-tah-kel-dees-TAHNS)

Getting Help

Help! Au secours! (oh seh-KOOR) I need help: J'ai besoin d'aide (zhay beh-ZWAN DEHD) Call the police! Appelez la police! (ah-play lah poh-LEES) Call a doctor! Appelez un médecin! (ah-play uhn mayd-SAN)

I'm lost: Je suis perdu(e) (zheh swee pehr-DU) Can you help me? Pouvez-vous m'aider? (poo-vay-voo may-DAY)

Where is the bathroom? Où sont les toilettes? (oo sohn lay twah-LET) Where is the hospital? Où est l'hôpital? (oo-ay loh-pee-TAHL)

Shopping and Bargaining

How much is this? C'est combien? (say kohm-bee-EN) Too expensive! C'est trop cher! (say troh SHEHR) Can you lower the price? Vous pouvez baisser le prix? (voo poo-vay bay-SAY leh PREE)

I'll take it: Je le prends (zheh leh prahn) I'm just looking: Je regarde seulement (zheh reh-GAHRD seul-MAHN) Final price? Dernier prix? (dehr-nee-AY PREE)

Directions

Right: À droite (ah DRWAHT) Left: À gauche (ah GOHSH) Straight: Tout droit (too DRWAH) Here: Ici (ee-SEE) There: Là (LAH)

Near: Près (pray) Far: Loin (lwan) Next to: À côté de (ah koh-TAY deh)

Where is the hotel? Où est l'hôtel? (oo-ay loh-TEL) Where is the station? Où est la gare? (oo-ay lah GAHR)

Transport

Taxi: Taxi (tak-SEE) Bus: Bus (BOOS) Train: Train (traN) Car: Voiture (vwah-TUR)

Take me to... Amenez-moi à... (ahm-nay-mwah-AH) Stop here: Arrêtez ici (ah-ray-tay ee-SEE) How much to...? Combien pour...? (kohm-bee-EN poor)

Food and Dining

I'm hungry: J'ai faim (zhay FAN) I'm thirsty: J'ai soif (zhay SWAHF)

Water: Eau (OH) Bread: Pain (PAN) Coffee: Café (kah-FAY) Tea: Thé (TAY) Milk: Lait (LAY)

The bill, please: L'addition, s'il vous plaît (lah-dee-SYON see voo PLAY) Delicious: Délicieux (day-lee-SYEU)

Numbers (French)

0: Zéro (zay-ROH) 1: Un (uhn) 2: Deux (deu) 3: Trois (trwah) 4: Quatre (KAH-treh) 5: Cinq (SANK) 6: Six (SEES) 7: Sept (SET) 8: Huit (WEET) 9: Neuf (NEUF) 10: Dix (DEES)

20: Vingt (VAN) 30: Trente (TRAHNT) 40: Quarante (kah-RAHNT) 50: Cinquante (san-KAHNT) 100: Cent (SAHN) 1000: Mille (MEEL)

Essential Phrases in Berber (Tamazight)

Basic Greetings

Hello (to man): Azul fellawen (ah-ZOOL fel-lah-WEN) Hello (to woman): Azul fellam (ah-ZOOL fel-LAM) How are you? Mamek? (mah-MEK) Fine: Labas (lah-BAHS)

Good morning: Tifawin (tee-fah-WEEN) Goodbye: Ar tufat (ar too-FAHT)

Polite Expressions

Please: Barek Allah fik (bah-REK AH-lah feek) Thank you: Tanmmirt (tahn-MEERT) Yes: Iyyih (EE-yih) No: Uhu (OO-hoo)

Useful Phrases

I don't understand: Ur fehmegh (oor FEH-meg) Do you speak English? Ar tettmeslayd s tanglizit? (ar tet-mes-LAID stahn-glee-ZEET)

What is your name? Mamek isem-nnek? (mah-MEK ee-SEM-nek) My name is... Isem inu... (ee-SEM ee-NOO)

Water: Aman (ah-MAHN) Bread: Aghrum (agh-ROOM) Tea: Atay (ah-TAI)

How much? Menogh? (meh-NOGH) Where? Mani? (mah-NEE)

Numbers (Berber)

1: Yan (yahn) 2: Sin (seen) 3: Krad (krahd) 4: Kuẓ (koozh) 5: Semmus (sem-MOOS) 6: Sdis (sdees) 7: Sa (sah) 8: Tam (tahm) 9: Tẓa (tzah) 10: Mrawt (meh-RAWT)

Transliteration Guide

Arabic Script Basics

Arabic is written:

• Right to left
• Cursive (letters connect)
• Different forms (beginning, middle, end, alone)
• Short vowels not written usually

Challenges for Learners:

• Different alphabet (28 letters)
• Sounds not in English (ع, ح, خ, غ, ق)
• Regional dialects differ from written Arabic

Pronunciation Tips

Difficult Arabic Sounds:

ع (ain):

• Deep throat sound
• Like swallowing while saying "ah"
• Example: 'arabiya (Arabic)

ح (ha):

• Breathy "h" from deep throat
• Stronger than English "h"
• Example: halib (milk)

خ (kha):

• Like German "ch" in Bach
• Throat sound
• Example: khobz (bread)

غ (ghayn):

• Like French "r"
• Throat/gargle sound
• Example: ghali (expensive)

ق (qaf):

• Deep "k" from throat
• In Darija often pronounced "g"
• Example: qahwa (coffee)

Emphatic Consonants:

• ص، ض، ط، ظ
• Heavier, darker versions
• Tongue lower in mouth

French Pronunciation

Nasal Vowels:

• on, an, in, un
• Don't fully pronounce "n"
• Nasalize the vowel

Silent Letters:

• Final consonants often silent
• Merci: "mehr-SEE" (c silent)
• Temps: "tahn" (ps silent)

R Sound:

• Back of throat
• Soft gargle
• Different from English "r"

Emergency Phrases

Medical

I'm sick:

• Arabic: Ana marid (AH-nah mah-REED)
• French: Je suis malade (zheh swee mah-LAHD)

I need a doctor:

• Arabic: Bghit tbib (buh-GHEET teh-BEEB)
• French: J'ai besoin d'un médecin (zhay beh-ZWAN duhn mayd-SAN)

I have pain:

• Arabic: 'Andi daw (AHN-dee dow)
• French: J'ai mal (zhay MAHL)

Hospital:

• Arabic: Sbitar (SBEE-tar)
• French: Hôpital (oh-pee-TAHL)

Safety

Thief!

• Arabic: Sharr! (SHAHR)
• French: Au voleur! (oh voh-LEUR)

Police:

• Arabic: Bolees (boh-LEES)
• French: Police (poh-LEES)

Help me!

• Arabic: 'Awneeni! (ow-NEE-nee)
• French: Aidez-moi! (ay-day-MWAH)

Food Allergies

I'm allergic to...

• French: Je suis allergique à... (zheh swee ah-lehr-ZHEEK ah)

Peanuts: Cacahuètes (kah-kah-WET) Shellfish: Fruits de mer (frwee deh MEHR) Gluten: Gluten (gloo-TEN)

Translation Apps Recommendation

Must Download:

1. Google Translate - Best overall, offline mode
2. French-English dictionary - Offline backup
3. Arabic-English dictionary - Darija if possible

Last Updated: February 2026 Primary Languages: Arabic (Darija), French Tourist English: Improving but limited