Most Important Phrases in Moroccan Arabic
Only a few months left till the Moroccan Escapade, so it’s about time to brush up on your Moroccan Arabic, also called Darija. It differs significantly from Modern Standard Arabic, even more than most other Arabic dialects, thanks to the big influence of the Berber languages, some Latin as well as French and Spanish. That’s why we’ve put together the most important phrases in Moroccan Arabic for you.
If you get your vocabulary from a phrasebook for Modern Standard Arabic, people will most likely understand you, but you won’t get a word they say. Modern Standard Arabic is a language that is basically only used in very formal situations and in books, newspapers and administration, but which is hardly ever spoken in daily life.
Moroccan Darija on the other side is spoken as first language by about 50% 75% of Morocco’s population. The other ones call one of the Berber languages (Tamazight languages) their mother tongue, but many also speak some basic Darija. So you’ll have a pretty decent chance to be understood with our important phrases in Moroccan Arabic.
Some Basic Politeness
Because a little bit of politeness can get you quite far.
Hello – salaam or salaam alaikum – Literally: Peace or peace be upon you – a common greeting
Good morning -sabah al khair – kh being the German hissing sound made at the back of your throat – like in Bach
Reply to good morning – sabah al noor (literally: morning of light)
Good evening – massa al khair – kh being the German hissing sound made at the back of your throat – like in Bach
Reply to good evening – massa al noor – reply to good evening (literally: evening of light)
Goodbye – bs-lama
Thank you (very much) – shoukran (bezaf)
Please – afek
Yes – ah/na’am
No – la
No, thank you – la shoukran
How are you? – labass
Reply to labass, literally sth. along the lines of “it’s going good, thank god” – hamdoulillah
I am sorry – smeh-lia
No problem – meshi mushkil
Do you speak English? – katehdr belinglizya?
A Visit to the Market
Because shopping is fun.
How much is it? – beshhal hadīk?
It is too expensive! – ghali bezaf!
I’m just looking around. – ghir tan chouf
Finding Your Way
Because you WILL get lost.
Straight – nichan
Left – lissar
Right – limeen
North – shamal
South – janoub
East – shark
West – gharb
Where is …? – fayne ?
How can I get to …? – kif nemchi li… ?
I’m lost – jlit rassi
Some Things Food
Because food is life.
Vegetable tagine –tagine b khodra
Beef tagine – tagine b lhem
Chicken tagine – tagine b djaj
Bread – khobz
Coffee (with sugar / milk) – kahwa (b skar / b hlib)
Tea (without sugar) – atay (bla skar)
Orange juice –asir limun
Bon appetit /Have a nice meal – bsseha
It was delicious – lay i atik saha !
Last But Not Least
Inshallah – You can say inshallah pretty much whenever you like, especially when you don’t want to commit to sth, and you will hear it a lot. Literally: “If God wills”
Why We Love Marrakesh
Marrakesh is a magical city.
In October, when we set off on Grand Moroccan Escapade, it might be tough to get going on our driving adventure. Not because of the challenge — though it will be challenging! — but simply because our start city, Marrakesh, is just so enchanting. Luckily though, it’s also our final stop, so we can spend even more time wandering its narrow lanes, experiencing the bustling center at night, and bargaining at the market. Here are just some of the reasons we love this city.
The Square
How else can we begin than with the heart of Marrakesh: Jemaa el-Fnaa. Within the walls of the ancient medina, this square is the ancient soul of the city, where you can still see snake charmers and, in the evening, food stalls serving delicious local cuisine.
The Street Food
Obviously, the non-street food is also sensational, but on the square you can try a variety of weird and wonderful traditional snacks. Snail soup might take some getting used to, but makouda (fried potato balls) are addictive.
Tanneries
If you’re looking for that unique Moroccan instagram, we have just the place. The preparation of leather on a mass scale, in the city’s old town, is an awesome sight; but, be prepared for a less than pleasant smell!
Mosques and Madrasas
Learn about Marrakesh’s rich religious history, and marvel at astonishing architecture, at one of the cities many Islamic centers. The Koutoubia minaret, above, is particularly special.
Souqs
Souqs were the shopping centers of their day, and in Marrakesh you can spend countless hours (and money!) wandering the narrow lanes, with artisans competing for your custom. Even if you aren’t planning to shop, the atmosphere makes a walk worthwhile.
Gardens
Necessary to escape the heat, some of Marrakesh’s best spots celebrate greenery. Most famous is Jardin Majorelle, an early 20th century labour of love, which resulted in a paradise comprised of botanic gardens, colourful architecture, and stylish museums.
Where We’ll Stay on the Grand Moroccan Escapade
The Grand Moroccan Escapade will stop in some amazing places.
Morocco is a treasure-trove of astonishing variety: in one week on the Grand Moroccan Escapade we will explore the narrow old streets of Marrakesh, race across vast dunes of the Sahara desert, and party on the shores of the Atlantic ocean. We’ll see many diverse landscapes, while driving on all sorts of different terrain, and staying in some incredible places. Of course, much of the adventure will occur between our stops, but still: let’s run through the cities, town, and villages, where we will stay!
For Desert Pioneers – The Grand Moroccan Escapade
Morocco with its endless coastline, the seemingly insurmountable Atlas Mountains and the endless desert behind them is every adventurer’s dream come true and it’s been high time that the Travel Scientists put their mark on the North African country.
The Route
So we proudly present you the Grand Moroccan Escapade, an epic car rally starting in the fairy tale city of Marrakech, crossing the Atlas Mountains and entering the Sahara. From there in a large arc to the west enjoying the off-road possibilities of the desert to the fullest, we’ll drive back to Marrakech along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and drop in on one of Morocco’s most modern cities, Agadir, on our way.
Come with us and enjoy Morocco’s unique, ancient and rich culture, blended together over millennia and consisting of a mixture of indigenous Berber, Arab, African and French as well as Spanish influences. Take the opportunity to brush up your high school French or to learn some Arabic phrases – with Arabic and Amazigh (the national standardized variety of Berber) as the most spoken languages and French having left a strong influence from the colonial period, English wont really get you far – true adventure!
To develop the rally route, we’ve been working closely with local tourism experts and guides, guaranteeing you the best off the beaten track driving experience while not neglecting some of Morocco’s must see sights, like the medieval city of Ait Benhaddou. Having served as shooting location for many major Hollywood movies like Gladiator or The Prince of Persia, even famous Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones has put up camp here on her quest to return to Westeros.
Your Accommodation
If you choose the hotel package, most of the 10 nights you’ll sleep in beautiful hotels with traditional architecture and decorations, but twice we’ll swap this comfort for the unspoiled view of the endless milky way, spending the night in a Berber desert camp and enjoying their famed hospitality. There you’ll also have the possibility to take on the Sahara with a different mode of transport for a short while – choose wisely!
The Grand Moroccan Escapade is a rally adventure, that blends together everything that makes Morocco unique and allows you to see the country from a side not many tourists do. Come and join us for an amazing trip!
The Grand Moroccan Escapade
9 days -2000 km
October 9 -17, 2021
Marrakech to Marrakech
For more information or to sign up click here!