How do you say horse, cat and dog in Darija?
Cheval says to himself 3awd ( عود ), cat mesh ( مش ) or qett , dog kelb ( كلب ). The sheep says to itself 7awli , the donkey 7mar and the butterfly fertettou .
In this guide Farm animals · Domestic animals · Wild animals · Birds & fish · Insects · Expressions with animals · Frequently asked questions
Farm animals
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Horse | 3awd | عود |
| Mare | 3awda | عودة |
| Donkey | 7mar | حمار |
| Mule | beghla | بغلة |
| Sheep | 7awli / kebsh | حولي / كبش |
| Sheep | ne3ja | نعجة |
| Lamb | khrouf | خروف |
| Goat | me3za | معزة |
| Cow | begra | بكرة |
| Bull / Ox | tour / begri | ثور |
| Calf | 3jel | عجل |
| Camel / dromedary | jmel | جمل |
| Hen | djaja | دجاجة |
| Rooster | ferrouj | فروج |
| Chick | fellous | فلوس |
| Rabbit | gniya | قنية |
| Pig | 7ellouf | حلوف |
Pets
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Cat | mesh / qett | مش / قط |
| Pussy | mshisha / qetta | مشيشة |
| Dog | kelb | كلب |
| female dog | kelba | كلبة |
| Puppy | jrou | جرو |
| Bird (caged) | tir | طير |
| Goldfish | 7outa 7amra | حوتة حمرا |
| Turtle | fekroun | فكرون |
| Animal | 7ayawan | حيوان |
| Animals | 7ayawanat | حيوانات |
Wild animals
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Lion | sba3 | سبع |
| Tiger | nmer | نمر |
| Wolf | dib | ذيب |
| Fox | ta3leb | ثعلب |
| Bear | debb | دب |
| Monkey | qerd | قرد |
| Elephant | fil | فيل |
| Giraffe | zrafa | زرافة |
| Snake | 7ensh | حنش |
| Lizard | bou-briss | بوبريص |
| Mouse | far | فار |
| Rat | tobba | طبة |
| Hedgehog | qenfoud | قنفود |
| Boar | 7ellouf l-ghaba | حلوف الغابة |
| Gazelle | ghzala | غزالة |
| Crocodile | temsa7 | تمساح |
| Frog | jrana | جرانة |
Birds and fish
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Bird | tir / ferkh | طير |
| Pigeon | 7mama | حمامة |
| Sparrow | berttal | برطال |
| Stork | bellarej | بلارج |
| Seagull | nawras | نورس |
| Eagle | 3oqab | عقاب |
| Owl | mouka | موكة |
| Parrot | babbagha | ببغاء |
| Duck | berka | بركة |
| Fish | 7outa (un) / 7out (collectif) | حوتة / حوت |
| Dolphin | delfin | دلفين |
| Shark | qersh | قرش |
| Octopus | qarnit | قرنيط |
| Shrimp | krouvit | كروفيت |
Insects and small creatures
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Butterfly | fertettou | فرططو |
| Bee | ne7la | نحلة |
| Wasp | zenbour | زنبور |
| Fly | debbana | دبانة |
| Mosquito | namousa | ناموسة |
| Ant | nemla | نملة |
| Cockroach | serraq z-zit | سراق الزيت |
| Spider | rtila | رتيلة |
| Scorpio | 3eqreb | عقرب |
| Snail | beboush / ghlal | ببوش |
| Ver | douda | دودة |
| Grasshopper | jrad | جراد |
| Ladybug | 3roussa | عروسة |
Moroccan expressions with animals
- Kelb (dog) and 7mar (donkey) are also common insults — not to be used lightly.
- Serraq z-zit , "the oil thief", is the pictorial name of the cockroach.
- Ghzala (gazelle) is a compliment: “ nti ghzala ” = you are beautiful.
- 3awd (horse): the tbourida (fantasia) is the traditional equestrian festival of Morocco.
- Bellarej (stork): symbol of luck, it nests on the ramparts of Marrakech and Fez.
See also food in Darija for meat and fish, and the dictionary of essential words .
Frequently asked questions
How do you say horse in Darija?
3awd ( عود ); mare = 3awda .
How do you say sheep in Darija?
7awli ( حولي ) or kebsh ; lamb = khrouf , ewe = ne3ja .
How do you say butterfly in Darija?
Fertettou ( فرططو ).
How do you say bee in Darija?
Ne7la ( نحلة ); honey = l-3salt .
How do you say cat in Darija?
Mesh ( مش ) or qett ; pussy = mshisha .
How do you say donkey in Darija?
7mar ( حمار ). Be careful, this is also an insult (“idiot”).
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