Morocco runs on Darija (Moroccan Arabic) in daily life and French in business and signage — and in the Rif and Chefchaouen you'll also hear Tarifit (Berber) and a surprising amount of Spanish, a legacy of the northern protectorate. A handful of phrases opens doors that money alone cannot.
In this guide
Greetings and basics
Greetings matter enormously in Morocco. Opening an interaction with the right words signals respect and almost always produces a warmer response. Darija greetings are similar to 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.
- 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
French essentials
French is the language of menus, hotels, road signs and business across Morocco — a legacy of the French Protectorate (1912–1956) that remains deeply embedded. In the north, including Chefchaouen, Tangier and Tetouan, Spanish is also widely understood thanks to the old Spanish zone, so 'hola' and 'gracias' often land as well as French. Even a few words in either dramatically expands what you can communicate.
- 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 Chefchaouen's small shops, the ritual is friendly and gentler than in the big-city souks. Open in French, Spanish or Darija, ask 'bshhal?' (how much?), respond 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 make the exchange enjoyable for both sides. Walking away — slowly — often produces the final best price.
Frequently asked
Do people in Chefchaouen speak English?
In guesthouses, tourist cafes and with guides — yes, often quite well, as the blue city sees plenty of international visitors. Beyond that, Darija, French and especially Spanish dominate in the northern Rif. A few phrases in any of the three 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 or Spanish to travel in Chefchaouen?
Not strictly — the blue city's guesthouses and tourist cafes handle English well. But a little French or Spanish opens far more of the north: menus at local eateries, conversations with hosts, directions and taxi negotiations on the road approaches. In the Rif, Spanish in particular goes a long way.
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Culture
Morocco Etiquette & Customs
A little cultural awareness goes a long way in Morocco. Dress modestly, greet warmly, ask before photographing people, use your right hand, and embrace the unhurried pace of mint tea and conversation.
Culture
Moroccan Food & Drink
Moroccan cuisine is one of the world's great food cultures: slow-cooked tagines, couscous Fridays, fresh-grilled seafood on the coast, and the endless ritual of sweet mint tea.
Practical
Getting Around Morocco
Morocco has good trains between the main cities, but Chefchaouen sits off the rail map in the Rif mountains — there is no train and no airport. You reach the blue city by road from Tangier (around 2 hours), Fes (around 4 hours) or Tetouan (around 1 hour), by CTM bus or private car.