Morocco runs on Darija (Moroccan Arabic) in daily life and French in business and signage — and in the desert south, Tamazight (Amazigh/Berber) is the mother tongue of many camp teams, camel handlers and oasis villages. A handful of phrases opens doors that money alone cannot, especially out on the route.
In this guide
Greetings and basics
Greetings matter enormously, and nowhere more than with the desert hosts who'll welcome you off the camels with tea. Opening with the right words signals respect and almost always warms the encounter. Darija greetings resemble Modern Standard Arabic but with a distinctly Moroccan accent — the 'q' often becomes a glottal stop, and vowels are compressed. Don't worry about perfection; the attempt is what counts. A word of Tamazight (see below) delights Berber guides even more.
- Salam / Salam alaykum — Hello / Peace be upon you (standard greeting)
- Wa alaykum salam — And upon you peace (response)
- Labas? / Labas, hamdullah — How are you? / Fine, praise God
- Shukran — Thank you
- La shukran — No, thank you (essential for polite refusals)
- Smah liya — Excuse me / I'm sorry
- Bslama — Goodbye
- Wakha — OK / Alright
Numbers and money
Numbers in Moroccan Arabic (Darija) follow a familiar pattern from Modern Standard Arabic. For market haggling and taxi fares, these are the most useful:
- Wahed, jouj, tlata, rba, khamsa — 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- Stta, sba, tmanya, tsa'oud, a'shra — 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
- A'shr-in, tlat-in — 20, 30 (and so on by tens)
- Miya — 100 | Alf — 1,000
- Bshhal? — How much?
- Ghali bzzaf — Too expensive
- Khfef shwiya — A little cheaper
- Mashi mushkil — No problem
Tamazight and French essentials
French is the language of menus, hotels, road signs and business — a legacy of the Protectorate (1912–1956) that remains deeply embedded, and useful from Marrakech right down the desert road. But in the south, a few words of Tamazight win hearts fast: 'azul' (hello), 'tanmirt' (thank you) and 'manza?' (how are you?) are treasured by Berber camp staff and oasis families who don't hear them often from visitors. Even basic French dramatically expands what you can communicate everywhere else.
- Bonjour / Bonsoir — Good day / Good evening
- S'il vous plaît / Merci — Please / Thank you
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please
- Où est...? — Where is...?
- Je voudrais... — I would like...
- Combien ça coûte? — How much does it cost?
- C'est trop cher — It's too expensive
- Parlez-vous anglais? — Do you speak English?
Pronunciation notes and haggling
Darija compresses vowels significantly compared with Modern Standard Arabic — 'drari' (children) sounds almost like a single syllable. The letters 'gh' (غ) and 'kh' (خ) are guttural sounds not in English: 'gh' resembles a soft French 'r'; 'kh' resembles the 'ch' in 'loch'. Neither is difficult with a little practice.
For haggling in the souks, the ritual is friendly and expected. Open in French or Darija, ask 'bshhal?' (how much?), respond to the price with a wince and 'ghali bzzaf' (too expensive), offer roughly 40–60% of the opening price, and negotiate from there. A smile and good humour throughout make the exchange enjoyable for both sides. Walking away — slowly — often produces the final best price.
Frequently asked
Do people in Morocco speak English?
In tourist areas, hotels, riads and with most desert guides — yes, often quite well, since guiding draws English speakers. Younger Moroccans in the cities increasingly speak it too. In the oasis villages and among camel handlers and camp staff, Darija or Tamazight dominate with some French. A few phrases in any of them go a very long way.
What language is spoken in Morocco?
Morocco's official languages are Classical Arabic and Amazigh (Tamazight). Darija (Moroccan Arabic) is the everyday spoken tongue for most Moroccans. French is widely used in business, education and signage. Spanish is spoken in the north (Tangier, Tétouan, Nador). In practice, French and Darija cover most travel situations.
Is Moroccan Arabic the same as Egyptian or Lebanese Arabic?
Darija is a distinct dialect with significant Amazigh, French and Spanish influences. It is notably different from Egyptian, Levantine or Gulf dialects — speakers of those dialects often find Darija difficult to understand. Modern Standard Arabic (the written, formal register) is understood but not spoken conversationally.
How do you say 'thank you' in Moroccan Arabic?
'Shukran' (شكراً) — borrowed directly from Modern Standard Arabic and universally understood. The purely Darija equivalent is 'baraka llahu fik' (God bless you), which you'll hear in response to a compliment or act of generosity.
Do I need French to travel in Morocco?
Not strictly — tourist infrastructure in Marrakech and the major sites runs well in English. But French opens far more of Morocco: menus at local restaurants, conversations with riad owners, directions, taxi negotiations and everything off the tourist trail. Even a few phrases make a disproportionate difference.
Planning a trip?
Let a Marrakech atelier handle the details.
Tell us your dates and style and we'll send a written itinerary and a transparent quote within 24 hours.
Request an itineraryKeep reading
Culture
Morocco Etiquette & Customs
A little cultural awareness goes a long way in the desert south, where village and nomadic life is more traditional than in the cities. Dress modestly, greet warmly, ask before photographing people, use your right hand, and lean into the unhurried rhythm of mint tea, conversation and Berber hospitality.
Culture
Moroccan Food & Drink
Food on the desert route is its own pleasure: slow-cooked tagines bubbling over coals, bread baked in the sand, dates from the oasis palmeries, and the endless ritual of sweet mint tea poured under the stars at camp.
Practical
Getting Around Morocco
Trains cover Morocco's northern cities well, but the desert lives beyond the rail map. To reach Merzouga, Zagora or Erg Chigaga you'll travel by private 4x4 or driver-guide, by long-distance bus, or on an organised tour — and the journey through the Atlas and the Draa Valley is a highlight in itself.