Trip Planning
What Language Is Spoken in Morocco? Darija, Amazigh, French and 20 Useful Phrases
Published November 4, 2026 by Morocco Amazing Tours
The short answer: Morocco has two official languages, Arabic and Amazigh (Berber). In daily life most people speak Darija, the Moroccan dialect of Arabic. French is widely used in business, administration, menus and signs; Spanish is common in the north; and English is spoken in hotels, riads, tour companies and by many young people. You can travel comfortably with English.
Who speaks what in Morocco
| Language | Where you hear it |
|---|---|
| Darija (Moroccan Arabic) | Everywhere: streets, markets, taxis, homes. Quite different from Middle Eastern Arabic. |
| Modern Standard Arabic | News, official documents, schools, mosques |
| Amazigh (Tamazight, Tachelhit, Tarifit) | Atlas Mountains, the south, the Rif and the desert; official since 2011, written in Tifinagh script |
| French | Business, banks, higher education, road signs, restaurant menus |
| Spanish | Tangier, Tetouan and the north, and the far south |
| English | Tourism, hotels, younger generations, growing fast |
You will see three scripts on public buildings: Arabic, Tifinagh and Latin letters. The languages of Morocco reflect its history at the crossroads of Africa, the Arab world and Europe.
Is English enough to travel in Morocco?
Yes, for a guided or well-planned trip. Riads, hotels, desert camps and licensed guides speak English, and our drivers speak English, French and Arabic. In small villages and with taxi drivers, a few words of French or Darija help a lot, and a smile and gestures do the rest.
20 useful Darija phrases
| English | Darija (approximate pronunciation) |
|---|---|
| Hello (peace be upon you) | Salam alaykum |
| Reply to hello | Wa alaykum salam |
| Thank you | Shukran |
| No, thank you | La, shukran |
| Yes / OK | Iyyeh / Wakha |
| Please | Afak |
| How much? | Bshhal? |
| Too expensive | Ghali bezzaf |
| Good / great | Mezyan |
| Delicious | Bnin |
| I'm full | Shbaat |
| Where is...? | Fin kayn...? |
| Water | Lma |
| A little / slowly | Shwiya |
| Let's go | Yallah |
| No problem | Mashi mushkil |
| God willing | Inshallah |
| Goodbye | Bslama |
| Hello (Amazigh) | Azul |
| Thank you (Amazigh) | Tanmirt |
Tips for communicating
- Start every exchange with a greeting; jumping straight to a question feels rude.
- "Inshallah" is used for anything in the future, from "see you tomorrow" to "your bus will leave on time".
- Numbers in the souk are often given in French or in rials, an old unit worth a twentieth of a dirham. If a price sounds huge, ask "dirham?" to check. Our money guide explains it.
- In the Atlas and the desert, using a word of Amazigh brings big smiles.
Language is one part of local culture; read our guide to Moroccan etiquette and the Morocco travel guide before you fly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main language in Morocco?
Darija, the Moroccan dialect of Arabic, is the everyday language of most people. Arabic and Amazigh are the two official languages.
Do people speak English in Morocco?
Yes, in tourism and among many young people. Hotels, riads, guides and tour drivers speak English, so visitors manage easily.
Is French widely spoken in Morocco?
Yes. French is used in business, banking, education, menus and signs, and most city residents understand it.
How do you say thank you in Morocco?
"Shukran" in Darija and "tanmirt" in Amazigh. "La, shukran" means "no, thank you", useful in the souks.
See it with a private driver
Planning a trip around this? These private, driver-guided itineraries cover it — every route can be adjusted to your dates.
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