The Most Important Vocabulary To Know During Your Trip In Morocco

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The vocabulary to know for a trip in Morocco

Several languages

In Morocco there are two official languages, Arabic and Amazigh, which are spoken in the streets and villages of Morocco. Classical Arabic, more commonly known as Literary Arabic, is the administrative language of the country. Generally speaking, you will hear Moroccan Arabic spoken in the streets.

French is also widely spoken in Morocco, and you can use it almost everywhere to communicate and get information. In the north of the country, you will also find many Moroccans who speak Spanish due to their proximity to Spain.

©Nina Montagné

How to negotiate

Duringyour travels in Morocco, it is very useful to know and use some Arabic words to negotiate prices in shops, restaurants or hotels . It will always make a very good impression and will allow you to stand out from the crowd of tourists and show you are willing to make an effort in their country.

Arabic writing

Arabic writing is particularly difficult to learn and very different from the English and Latin alphabets. If you have the opportunity during your stay, it is fascinating to learn a few basics of Arabic calligraphy You will discover the beauty of the calligraphed letters in the magnificent and moving works of the the calligrapher Hassan Massoudy.

Basic expressions / Common Words

English	Arabe
Good morning / Good evening	Salam Alekum / Msal'khir
How are you?	Labass
Fine, thank you, and you?	Labass hamdoullah
Do you speak French/English?	Ouech tat hdar françawiya ? Oula engliziya ?
I understand / I don't understand	Fhamt / Ma Fhamtch
Sorry	Smahli
Goodbye	Bsslama
Welcome	Marhba
Thank you (very much)	Choukran (choukran bezaf)
Excuse me	Smahli / Afak
I'm French	Ana françawiya
My name is...	Ismiyti
No thank you	La choukran
Yes / No	Wakha / La
You're welcome	La choukran aâla ouajib / marhba

Commerce

English	Arabe
How much is it?	Bch-hal
It is very cheap	R-khiss
It is too expensive!	Ghali bezaf !
Can you lower the price?	N-kass taman afak
I would like to buy ... this one!	Brit nchri hada !
I like it / I don't like it	Aâjabni / Ma aâjabnich
Money	Flouss
I'm just looking around.	Ghir tan chouf

Transportation

English	Arabe
I would like to go to ...	Brit Nemchi
Plane	Tiyara
Boat	Bato
Train	Traine
Taxi	Taxi
Bus	Tobis
I would like to rent ...	B-ghit N-kri
Motorbike	Motor
Car	Tomobile
Bike	Bichklita

Directions

English	Arabe
Where is ...? / How can I get to ...?	Fayne ? / Kif nemchi li… ?
Bank	Banka
Train station	Mahata
Centre	Ouassit el medina
Hotel	Foundouk
Hospital	Sbitar
Is it close / far?	Ouech krib / biîd
Straight ahead	Nichan
Left / Right	Lissar / Limen
North / South / East / West	Chamal / Janoub / Chark / Gharb

Numberssieben, acht, neun, zehn

English	Arabe
one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten	ouahed, jouj, tlata, rbaâ, chamsa, sita, seba (ne s'écrit pas en alphabet latin), tamaniya, tassoud, achra
twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty	tmanin, tlatin, rabin, khamsin, settin
seventy, eighty, ninety	sabin, tmanin, tassin
One hundred	miya

Hours/Dates and daysDienstag, Mittwoch, Donnerstag, Freitag, Samstag, Sonntag

English	Arabe
What time is it?	Ch-hal hadi fi saâ ?
When?	Foukach ?
Yesterday	Lbareh
Today (morning/midday/evening)	Lioum
Tomorrow	Ghadda
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday	Tnin , tlat , lalbeê, khmiss, joumouaâ, sebt, had
I am here on vacation	Ana hna fil outla / Ana mssafra
I am here for business	Ana hna li el khadma

Time to eat!

English	Arabe
I am hungry / I am thirsty	Fiya Jouû / Fiya el êtach
Enjoy	Bssaha !
Cheers!	Bssaha !
It was delicious	Lay i âtik ssaha !
What can you recommend?	ach tat oussi ?
I am vegeterian	Ma tan akoulch el lham
Not spicy please (I don't like spices)	Bla aâtriya ! (Ma tan bghich al atriya)
It's too hot	S-khoun bezaf !
I am allergic	Fiya al hassassiya
Sea food	« Froui dmer » : crouvite
Peanuts	Cacaouit
Gluten	Gluten
I would like...	B-ghit
Water	El Ma
Tee / Coffee	Atay / Kahwa
Beer / Wine	Birra / Vin
The bill, please	Bch-hal aâfak

Health / Emergency / Security

English	Arabe
I need to see a doctor.	H-tajit nchouf el tabib
Call an ambulance / Call 911	Aâyak L tabib / ambulance !
Where is the hospital?	Fayne Sbitar
I do not feel very good	Hassa brassi eêyana !
It hurts here	Fiya loujaâ hna
Where can I find the restrooms?	Fayne El Bagno ?
Help!	Aâtkouni !
Police	Boulice
Danger	Khatar
I'm lost	Jlit rassi

Other

English	Arabe
Have a nice day !	Lay i aâouen !

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