Before you start
Living in or visiting Essaouira and want to start speaking Darija? This workbook brings together short expressions to listen to, understand and reuse. Choose your explanation language; the phrases stay in Darija, with Arabic script and a Latin reading guide.
Your first conversations
Darija is Moroccan Arabic used in everyday life. Start by listening, then reuse one short phrase. Latin spelling is only a reading guide: it varies between speakers and does not replace listening.
In the reading guide, 3 represents ع and 7 represents ح. Listen to these sounds with a speaker rather than reading the digits as numbers.
| Darija | Reading guide | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| السلام عليكم | s-slam 3likum | Hello / peace be upon you |
| وعليكم السلام | wa 3likum s-slam | Reply to the greeting |
| لاباس؟ | labas? | How are you? |
| لاباس، الحمد لله | labas, l-hamdullah | Fine, thank God |
| شنو سميتك؟ | shnu smitk? | What is your name? |
| سميتي… | smiti… | My name is… |
| متشرفين | mtsherrfin | Pleased to meet you |
| عافاك | 3afak | Please |
| شكرا | shukran | Thank you |
| بسلامة | bslama | Goodbye |
Greet the other person first, then let them reply. A greeting and a well-timed thank you are already a useful start.
At a café or shop
Point to what you need if you lack the vocabulary. Confirm the price or order before finishing the conversation.
| Darija | Reading guide | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| بغيت أتاي، عافاك | bghit atay, 3afak | I would like tea, please |
| بغيت قهوة، عافاك | bghit qhwa, 3afak | I would like coffee, please |
| بغيت الما، عافاك | bghit l-ma, 3afak | I would like water, please |
| بلا سكر، عافاك | bla skkar, 3afak | Without sugar, please |
| شحال هادا؟ | sh7al hada? | How much is this? [masculine] |
| شحال هادي؟ | sh7al hadi? | How much is this? [feminine] |
| الحساب، عافاك | l-7sab, 3afak | The bill, please |
| واخا | wakha | Okay |
| آه | ah | Yes |
| لا | la | No |
Your turn
Choose a drink and make a polite order. Change the drink and try again.
Finding your way and asking for help
| Darija | Reading guide | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| فين كاين الباب؟ | fin kayn l-bab? | Where is the door? |
| فين كاين السوق؟ | fin kayn s-suq? | Where is the market? |
| ليمن | limn | Right |
| ليسر | lisr | Left |
| نيشان | nishan | Straight ahead |
| شوية بشوية، عافاك | shwiya b-shwiya, 3afak | Slowly, please |
| عاود، عافاك | 3awed, 3afak | Repeat, please [to a man] |
| عاودي، عافاك | 3awdi, 3afak | Repeat, please [to a woman] |
| ما فهمتش | ma fhemtsh | I did not understand |
| سمح ليا | sme7 liya | Excuse me / sorry [to a man] |
The directions are language examples, not a verified medina route. Check your destination with the person helping you and ask again if you are unsure.
What will you need tomorrow?
Choose two workbook phrases to reuse tomorrow: a café request and a question about a place. Write them, then say them aloud.
Three conversations to practise
| Situation | Darija exchange |
|---|---|
| Greeting | A: Salam 3likom. B: Wa 3likom salam. A: Labas? B: Labas, lhamdullah. |
| Ordering | A: Bghit atay, 3afak. B: B s-sukkar? A: Bla sukkar, 3afak. B: Wakha. |
| Checking a direction | A: Fin kayn l-bab, 3afak? B: Sir nishan. A: Nishan? B: Iyeh, nishan. |
In these examples, “Wakha” means okay, “Iyeh” means yes, “l-bab” means the door and “B s-sukkar?” means with sugar? Pronunciation can vary.
Your first exchange
Write a four-line exchange: greet, ask for something, confirm it and say thank you. Read it with another person.
Check the answers
There is no single correct answer. Check that your request is understandable and that the phrases fit the situation. Ask a Darija speaker to help with pronunciation.
Moroccan Darija
Would you like some guidance? Share your level and availability. The centre will explain suitable groups and possible times.
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Choose a programme and complete your request. Available payment methods depend on the price for your application; when the amount needs confirming, payment at the centre is offered. The request remains subject to the centre’s confirmation.
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