Arabic is the language used in Morocco, but you will also be understood in French and Spanish in many places.

Modern and spoken Arabic

Spoken Moroccan Arabic is the product of the country's historic and cultural influences. It includes expressions and words of Berber origin in everyday language. Modern Arabic is used by government, the media, the justice system, culture, religion as well as politics.

Foreign languages

Geographical proximity and history make Spanish and French languages known by many Moroccans. In Tangier, Tétouan and Chefchaouen, the language of Cervantès is widely spoken. Meanwhile French is the country's first foreign language and is spoken throughout the country.

Kingdom and dynasties

In 788, Idriss I, contesting the power of Baghdad, founded the Idrisid kingdom in Volubilis. There followed the Almoravid dynasties, the Berber conquerors of the south, then the Almohads whose power extended into Muslim Spain, and finally the Merinids, Berbers from the high plateaus.

A few common words in Moroccan Arabic

Yes = na’am/lyyeh
No = la
Thank you = choukran,
barak el-lah
fik Okay = ouakha
Please = min
fadlak / afak
Goodbye = be-slama
Good morning = sebah-el-kheir
Excuse me = smeh-li
How much is that? = chhal / chhal el-tamane
I do not understand = ma fhemt-ch