In this guide
The must-know 8 · Being polite · Shopping & prices · Directions · If you need help · Practice in SayDarija
Moroccans deeply appreciate any effort to speak Darija, the local Arabic dialect. Lead with these phrases and you will get warmer service, fairer prices and genuine smiles.
The must-know 8
| Darija | Arabic | English |
|---|---|---|
| Salam | سلام | Hello |
| Shukran | شكرا | Thank you |
| 3afak | عفاك | Please |
| Wakha | واخا | OK / alright |
| Iyeh / La | إيه / لا | Yes / No |
| Sm7 liya | سمح ليا | Excuse me / sorry |
| Bsh7al? | بشحال؟ | How much? |
| Bslama | بسلامة | Goodbye |
Being polite & friendly
- Labas? (لاباس؟) — "How are you?" / "I'm fine."
- L7amdullah (الحمد لله) — "Thank God" (the standard reply to "how are you").
- Bla jmil (بلا جميل) — "You're welcome."
- Ma3lish (معليش) — "No worries / it's fine."
- Mzyan (مزيان) — "Good / nice."
Shopping & prices
- Bsh7al hada? (بشحال هادا؟) — "How much is this?"
- Ghali bzzaf (غالي بزاف) — "Too expensive."
- Naqs shwiya (نقص شوية) — "Lower it a bit."
- Akhir taman? (آخر ثمن؟) — "Best/last price?"
- Ghadi nakhod hada (غادي ناخد هادا) — "I'll take this."
For counting and haggling in detail, see our Darija numbers & bargaining guide.
Directions & getting around
- Fin kayn...? (فين كاين؟) — "Where is...?"
- Fin kayn l-hammam? — "Where is the bathroom?"
- Nishan (نيشان) — "Straight ahead."
- Limn / Lisr (ليمن / ليسر) — "Right / left."
- Qrib? (قريب؟) — "Is it near?"
If you need help
- 3awnni 3afak (عاونّي عفاك) — "Help me please."
- Ma fhemtsh (ما فهمتش) — "I didn't understand."
- Wash kat3ref l-anglizia? (واش كتعرف الأنجليزية؟) — "Do you speak English?"
- 3yit (عييت) — "I'm tired / I've had enough" (useful to end pushy sales).
Do it in the app
Turn this list into real speaking practice
Instead of memorising a flat list, open SayDarija and set your goal to "traveling to Morocco." Ask the AI tutor for exactly the phrase you need — "how do I ask a shopkeeper for a lower price?" — hear it, and rehearse the whole exchange in a Roleplay. Save the phrases you'll use most to your phrasebook and drill them offline on the plane.
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