Yalla Darija
Moroccan Arabic
Learn to speak Moroccan Darija
Real phrases, proverbs and lessons with native-speaker audio — written in Arabic script and in Latin letters, so you can start speaking before you can read.
Start with the phrases you will actually use
106 phrases grouped by situation. Each one shows the Darija as Moroccan speakers write it, plus a plain-letter spelling with no digits.
- Souk and Post Office16 phrases
- At the Guesthouse15 phrases
- Greetings14 phrases
- First Encounters14 phrases
- Health11 phrases
- Family and Friends10 phrases
- Nature and Weather9 phrases
- Hiking9 phrases
- Food8 phrases
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Common questions
Is Moroccan Darija the same as Arabic?
Darija is the everyday spoken Arabic of Morocco. It shares its roots with Modern Standard Arabic but has its own vocabulary, grammar and a good deal of Amazigh, French and Spanish influence. Someone who studied only Modern Standard Arabic will struggle to follow a conversation in a Casablanca cafe.
Do I need to read Arabic script to learn Darija?
No. Darija is mostly written in Latin letters in daily life, especially in messages. Every entry on this site shows the Arabic script alongside a Latin spelling, so you can start speaking without learning the alphabet first.
What do the numbers in words like 3afak and 7aja mean?
They are Arabizi, a texting convention where digits stand in for Arabic sounds that have no Latin letter: 3 is ع, 7 is ح, 9 is ق and 5 is خ. Every page here also gives a plain-letter spelling if you would rather read it without digits.
How long does it take to hold a basic conversation?
Greetings and courtesy phrases take days. Ordering food, bargaining in a souk and small talk with family are realistic within a few months of steady practice, particularly if you have someone to speak with.