Which languages are spoken?
Morocco's 2011 constitution recognises two official languages: Arabic and Amazigh (Tamazight). In daily life, the picture is richer:
- Darija (Moroccan Arabic) is the everyday spoken language for most Moroccans. It differs considerably from Modern Standard Arabic and from the Arabic spoken in the Middle East, with many words borrowed from Amazigh, French and Spanish.
- Modern Standard Arabic is used in writing, official documents, the news and religious contexts.
- Amazigh (Berber) languages — Tarifit in the Rif, Tamazight in the Middle and High Atlas, and Tashelhit in the south and Souss — are the mother tongues of a large part of the population. The Tifinagh script appears on official signs alongside Arabic and French.
- French is widely used in business, higher education, administration and on signs and menus. It is the most useful foreign language for travellers.
- Spanish is common in the north (Tangier, Tetouan, Chefchaouen) and in the southern provinces.
- English is increasingly spoken by young people and in tourism; it is enough in hotels, riads and tourist sites.
Darija basics: pronunciation
Transliterations vary, but a few sounds help:
- kh — like the "ch" in Scottish loch.
- gh — a soft gargle, like a French "r".
- ' — a short catch in the throat.
- q — a "k" sound pronounced further back in the throat.
Greetings and politeness
| English | Darija | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (peace be upon you) | السلام عليكم | salam alaykum |
| Reply to hello | وعليكم السلام | wa alaykum salam |
| Good morning | صباح الخير | sbah l-khir |
| Good evening | مساء الخير | msa l-khir |
| How are you? | لاباس؟ | labas? |
| Fine, thank God | لاباس، الحمد لله | labas, l-hamdu lillah |
| Please | عافاك | afak (to a man) / afik (to a woman) |
| Thank you | شكرا | shukran |
| Thank you very much | شكرا بزاف | shukran bezzaf |
| You're welcome | بلا جميل | bla jmil |
| Yes / No | إيه / لا | iyeh / la |
| Excuse me / sorry | سمح ليا | smeh liya |
| Goodbye | بسلامة | bslama |
| God willing | إن شاء الله | inshallah |
Shopping and bargaining
| English | Darija | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| How much is it? | بشحال؟ | bshhal? |
| It's too expensive | غالي بزاف | ghali bezzaf |
| Lower the price, please | نقص شوية عافاك | naqqas shwiya afak |
| I'm just looking | غير كنشوف | ghir kanshouf |
| No, thank you | لا، شكرا | la, shukran |
| I don't want it | ما بغيتش | ma bghitsh |
| Good / beautiful | زوين | zwin |
| I'll take it | غادي نخدو | ghadi nakhdou |
Taxis and directions
| English | Darija | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Where is...? | فين...؟ | fin...? |
| Please use the meter | دير الكونتور عافاك | dir l-kontor afak |
| Stop here | وقف هنا | wqef hna |
| Right / Left | ليمن / ليسر | limen / liser |
| Straight ahead | نيشان | nishan |
| Train station | لاكار | la gare |
| Airport | المطار | l-matar |
Food and restaurants
| English | Darija | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Water | الما | l-ma |
| Bread | الخبز | l-khobz |
| Tea (mint tea) | أتاي | atay |
| Coffee with milk | قهوة حليب | qahwa hlib |
| Without sugar | بلا سكر | bla sukkar |
| I'm vegetarian | ما كناكلش اللحم | ma kanakulsh l-lham (I don't eat meat) |
| The bill, please | الحساب عافاك | l-hsab afak |
| Delicious | بنين | bnin |
| Enough, I'm full | صافي، شبعت | safi, shbe't |
Emergencies
| English | Darija | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Help! | عتقوني! | a'teqni! |
| Call the police | عيط على البوليس | a'yyet ala l-bolis |
| I need a doctor | خصني طبيب | khassni tbib |
| Pharmacy | الفرمسيان | l-farmasyan |
| I'm lost | تلفت | tlaft |
Numbers
Knowing numbers helps with prices:
1 wahed · 2 jouj · 3 tlata · 4 rb'a · 5 khamsa · 6 setta · 7 seb'a · 8 tmenya · 9 tes'ud · 10 'ashra · 20 'ashrin · 50 khamsin · 100 mya.
A few words of Amazigh (Tashelhit / Tamazight)
In Atlas villages, a greeting in Amazigh is especially appreciated:
- Hello: azul
- Thank you: tanmirt (Middle and High Atlas) / tanmmirt or barak llahu fik (widely understood)
- Yes / No: yah / uhu
Language etiquette
- Moroccans often switch between Darija, French and other languages in the same sentence; it is normal to do the same.
- Starting with "salam alaykum" before a question, even in English, sets a friendly tone.
- In French-speaking contexts, "bonjour" and "merci" are always welcome.
- Do not worry about mistakes — effort is appreciated far more than accuracy.
Related: safety and etiquette, money and bargaining and getting around.
This guide was last reviewed in October 2026. Entry rules, opening hours, transport timetables and prices change; check official sources shortly before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.