A handful of darija words can change everything at the souk. Here's the phrasebook I share with every group before they head to Marrakech.
One single word can change everything
Ten years of welcoming travellers to Marrakech, and there's one moment I see again and again. The day someone drops a "choukrane" instead of a "thank you", the vendor's face shifts. Not because the word is perfectly pronounced — it almost never is — but because a hand has been extended. And in Marrakech, extending a hand opens doors.
It's not about mastering the language. Darija is rich, oral, alive — it's spoken from childhood, not learned from a textbook. A few dozen words are more than enough to travel well. So before every trip, I slip this phrasebook to my groups. Here it is, for you too.
Greetings and politeness: the words of everyday life
These are the ones you'll use a hundred times a day, from the riad to the last souk. Start here, and the rest will come naturally.
- Hello: Salaam Aleikoum
- The reply: Waaleikoum Salaam
- How are you?: Labess ?
- Reply: Labess Hamdullah (I'm fine, thank God)
- Thank you: Choukrane
- Please: Affek
- Yes / No: Iyeah / Laa
- Welcome: Marhba !
- Goodbye: Bslama
- OK / Agreed: Wakha
Salaam Aleikoum is not an empty formula — it's a sincere greeting that carries deep meaning. Say it with a smile, and it will always be warmly received.
At the souk: the words that shift the dynamic
The souk is a game — and knowing these few words completely changes your relationship with the vendor. You're no longer a tourist passing through; you become someone who tries, who plays along.
- Where is it?: Fin kayn ?
- How much is it?: Bchal ?
- It's expensive: Rali
- That's too much!: Bzaf !
- It's beautiful: Zwin
- Good: Mzién
- Best price: Akhir taman
- Just looking, thank you: Ghir kanshuf, choukrane
That last expression is a gem. It lets you browse freely without feeling obliged to buy — and vendors are always happy to respect it.
If you really want to go behind the scenes of bargaining with someone who knows the artisans and the craft trails, that's exactly what we do during the Visite Privée des Souks de Marrakech. These words take on their full meaning when you're right there in the thick of it.
Numbers: essential for bargaining
No need to go all the way to a hundred. The first ten are more than enough to discuss a price, understand an offer or indicate a quantity.
- Wahed (1) · Jouj (2) · Tlata (3) · Rebaa (4) · Khamsa (5)
- Setta (6) · Sebaa (7) · Tmenya (8) · Tsaoud (9) · Aachra (10)
At the restaurant: ordering like a Marrakchi
Even in a neighbourhood café, these few words create an instant rapport with whoever is serving you. And for the mint tea — there's often debate about sugar — bla sukar is your best ally.
- The bill, please: Lhsab, affek
- Water: Ma
- Bread: Khobz (pronounced "Robz")
- Tea: Ataï
- Coffee: Kawa
- Sugar: Sukar
- Without sugar: Bla sukar !
- Mint: Nanah
- Chicken tagine: Tajine Djaj
Getting around: taxi, calèche and "where is it?"
Two expressions to absolutely remember when you're in a taxi or a calèche:
- Stop here, please: Wqef hna, affek
- Straight ahead: Nichan
And a tip worth more than any vocabulary word: in Marrakech, you always negotiate the price of a taxi or calèche before you get in, never after. That's the golden rule, and it avoids all misunderstandings.
For the atmosphere: the words to pull out with friends
For a hen party in Marrakech, these expressions always have a lovely effect. Dropping them at the right moment reliably triggers a smile — and often, a genuine connection.
- Congratulations: Mabrouk !
- Cheers / enjoy your meal: Saha !
- Beautiful / gorgeous: Zwina
- Come on, let's go!: Yallah !
Yallah often becomes the rallying cry of the whole trip. I can still hear it echoing through the lanes of the souks, called out by groups who never imagined they'd end up using it quite so much.
What to know before you dive in
A few important notes to help you approach this phrasebook with confidence:
- There is no official spelling. Darija is above all a spoken language. The transcriptions here are phonetic, designed to be pronounced easily by an English speaker — not to be grammatically precise.
- Nobody expects perfection. A mispronounced word said with a smile always lands better than polite silence. It's the intention that counts.
- English and French both work well in Marrakech. No pressure at all: this phrasebook is a bonus, never a prerequisite for enjoying your stay.
- Your smile and your tone matter as much as the word itself. That's often the real key to the warmth of Moroccan hospitality.
This phrasebook is for everyone who loves the feeling of truly travelling, not just visiting. Whether you're heading to bargain at the souk, chat with a calèche driver or simply thank the person who pours your tea — these few words open doors you wouldn't have expected before trying.
Want to put these words into practice right now? The best place to test your new vocabulary is the souk. Discover our hand-picked activities in Marrakech and find the one that calls to you.
Céline, your host in Marrakech
A local guide for 10 years, I take travellers from around the world on a journey of discovery through Marrakech — its secrets, its addresses and its authentic experiences.
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