The handful of words that make everything easier
Morocco runs on a mix of Darija (Moroccan Arabic) and French, and knowing a handful of words in either genuinely changes how vendors, taxi drivers, and hosts respond to you.
You don't need fluency — a greeting, a thank-you, and a number or two cover most everyday moments.
Even a few Darija words signal effort and respect, and Moroccans working in tourism routinely respond with more warmth, better prices, and genuine conversation once you try.
| English | Darija / French | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Greetings | ||
| Hello | Salam | sa-LAM |
| Hello (formal) | Salam alaykoum | sa-LAM ah-LAY-koom |
| Goodbye | Bslama | b-sla-MA |
| Politeness | ||
| Thank you | Shukran | shoo-KRAN |
| You're welcome | Bla jmil | bla ja-MEEL |
| Please | Afak | ah-FAK |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Smehli | smeh-LEE |
| Bargaining | ||
| How much? | Bshhal? | bsh-HAL |
| Too expensive | Ghali bezzaf | gha-LEE bez-ZAF |
| Okay / Agreed | Wakha | WAKH-a |
| French Basics | ||
| Hello | Bonjour | bohn-ZHOOR |
| Thank you | Merci | mehr-SEE |
| How much? | Combien? | kohm-BYEN |
| Where is...? | Où est...? | oo eh |
Both — French works well in cities, hotels, and with older generations, while a few Darija words go further in souks, taxis, and small towns.
No — Darija is almost always written in Latin letters for tourists, exactly as shown here.