Basic Words

1. إيه

   īh

   Yes

   Usage

   The everyday "yes". "Wākha" (OK) also works as an agreeing answer.

   Grammar Note

   Standard Arabic "naʿam" is rarely used in everyday Moroccan speech.

2. لا

   lā

   No

   Usage

   The plain "no". Pair it with a head shake to make a refusal clear.

   Grammar Note

   To negate a verb, wrap it in mā…-sh (e.g. mā fhemt-sh); "lā" is for the standalone answer.

3. عافاك

   ʿāfāk

   Please

   Usage

   The all-purpose "please", placed before or after a request; the form is the same for men and women.

   Grammar Note

   Standard Arabic "min faḍlik" is not used in Moroccan speech.

4. شكرا

   shukran

   Thank you

   Usage

   "Shukran bzāf" means "thank you very much".

   Grammar Note

   Written without tanwīn, unlike the Standard Arabic form.

5. سمح ليا

   smaḥ lia

   Excuse me

   Usage

   Used to get someone's attention or to pass through a crowd.

   Grammar Note

   "Smaḥ" is the imperative addressed to a man; to a woman say "سمحي ليا" (smḥi lia). "Lia" is "to me".

6. سموحات

   smūḥāt

   Sorry

   Usage

   A light apology. "Smaḥ lia" can also serve as an apology.

   Grammar Note

   The form is the same for men and women.

7. ماشي مشكل

   māshī mushkil

   It's OK / No problem

   Usage

   Said when someone apologises, or to decline politely ("no need").

   Grammar Note

   "Māshī" is the negator "is not" here; on its own it does not mean "OK" as it does in Egypt.

8. مافهمتش

   mā fhemt-sh

   I don't understand

   Usage

   When you did not follow what was said; same for men and women.

   Grammar Note

   Negation wraps the verb: mā…-sh. In the past tense 1sg and 2sg-m look the same.

9. فهمت

   fhemt

   I understand

   Usage

   After an explanation, to show you got it.

   Grammar Note

   A past-tense form meaning "I got it"; it is identical to 2sg-m "you understood", so context decides. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

10. ساليت

    sālīt

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Said when you have finished a meal or a task, e.g. to let staff clear the table.

    Grammar Note

    First person past of "sālā" (to finish); identical to 2sg-m.

11. تسنّا عافاك

    tsanna ʿāfāk

    Please wait

    Usage

    Form for one man; for a woman or several people the verb changes slightly.

    Grammar Note

    Imperative; use "tsannāy" for a woman and "tsannāw" for several people.

12. تسنّا شوية

    tsanna shwiyya

    Just a moment

    Usage

    When you will be back or done soon.

    Grammar Note

    "Shwiyya" is the adverb "a little".

13. ماحجزتش

    mā ḥjezt-sh

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    At a hotel or restaurant when you have no booking.

    Grammar Note

    "Ḥjez" is "to reserve"; negation wraps the verb with mā…-sh. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

14. حجزت

    ḥjezt

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    At a hotel or restaurant to say you have booked; follow with your name.

    Grammar Note

    Past tense, 1sg; identical to 2sg-m, so context decides. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

15. عاوني عافاك

    ʿāwnī ʿāfāk

    Please help me

    Usage

    For ordinary trouble; in a real emergency shout for help instead.

    Grammar Note

    Imperative "ʿāwen" plus the ending meaning "me". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

16. عاود عافاك

    ʿāwad ʿāfāk

    Once more, please

    Usage

    When you missed something. The verb takes an ending for a woman.

    Grammar Note

    Imperative; use "ʿāwdi" for a woman.

17. هضر بشوية عافاك

    hḍer b-shwiyya ʿāfāk

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    For one man; for a woman say "hḍri".

    Grammar Note

    "B-shwiyya" is "b-" (with) + "a little", i.e. slowly.

18. كانهضر شوية

    kānhḍer shwiyya

    I speak a little

    Usage

    When communication is hard; you can add the name of another language you speak, such as French.

    Grammar Note

    The present is "kā-" plus the verb stem; 1sg starts "kān-". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

19. واش كاتهضر بالانجليزية؟

    wāsh kāthḍer b-l-inglīzīya?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Say "kāthḍri" to a woman. French is often more widely understood.

    Grammar Note

    Put "wāsh" at the start to make a yes/no question. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

20. هادا

    hāda

    This

    Usage

    For something near; use "hādi" for feminine and "hādu" for plural things.

    Grammar Note

    Spelled differently from Standard Arabic "hādhā" (ذ becomes د).

21. داك

    dāk

    That

    Usage

    For something further away; the feminine is "dīk".

    Grammar Note

    Before a noun it means "that …".

22. هنا

    hnā

    Here

    Usage

    Indicates a place; "hnā" alone can mean "it's here".

    Grammar Note

    Same form as in Standard Arabic.

23. تمّا

    tamma

    There

    Usage

    Indicates a place away from you.

    Grammar Note

    Standard Arabic "hunāka" is not used in Moroccan speech.

24. أنا

    ana

    I, me

    Usage

    Refers to yourself; often omitted because the verb already shows the subject.

    Grammar Note

    The same form for men and women.

25. نتا / نتي

    nta / nti

    You

    Usage

    "Nta" to a man, "nti" to a woman; there is no separate polite form.

    Grammar Note

    Plural "you" is "ntūma".

26. مع بعضياتنا

    mʿa baʿḍyātna

    Together

    Usage

    Means "we together"; useful for photos or meals.

    Grammar Note

    "Baʿḍyāt" plus a pronoun ending means "each other".

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