How do you say enjoy your meal in Moroccan Arabic?
To say ‘enjoy your meal’ in Moroccan Darija, use Bssa7a ( بالصحة ). A common reply is Allah y3tik s-sa7a : ‘may God give you health’. You can also say thank you with Shukran .
What does bssa7a mean?
Bssa7a ( بالصحة ) literally means ‘with health’. At a meal, it works like ‘enjoy your meal’ or ‘enjoy it’. Its meaning depends on the situation: people also use it for new clothes, after a haircut or after bathing. It is not limited to food.
Bsaha, bssaha and bssa7a: the same expression
These Latin spellings represent the same expression. The number 7 stands for the Arabic letter ح, a sound made in the throat. You do not pronounce it as the number seven. Spellings differ between writers; use a consistent version in your own notes.
How do you reply to bssa7a?
Allah y3tik s-sa7a returns the wish for good health. A simple Shukran also works as a thank-you. When addressing several people, you may hear Bssa7tkoum . You do not need a long expression to be polite.
Useful phrases at the table
| English | Darija | العربية |
|---|---|---|
| Enjoy your meal / enjoy it | Bssa7a | بالصحة |
| May God give you health | Allah y3tik s-sa7a | الله يعطيك الصحة |
| Thank you | Shukran | شكرا |
| This is very tasty | Hada bnin bzzaf | هادا بنين بزاف |
| Thank you for the meal | Shukran 3la l-makla | شكرا على الماكلة |
| Have some food, you are welcome | Koul, mer7ba bik | كول، مرحبا بيك |
Koul, mer7ba bik is an invitation to eat. It does not mean the meal is free. Ask separately if you need to know the price at a restaurant.
A short conversation during a meal
- Your host: Bssa7a ( بالصحة ) — Enjoy your meal / enjoy it.
- You: Allah y3tik s-sa7a — May God give you health.
- You: Hada bnin bzzaf — This is very tasty.
- You: Shukran 3la l-makla — Thank you for the meal.
Read the wish first, then the reply. Repeat the exchange without looking at the translation. You can finish with a compliment about the food.
Bssa7a and bismillah have different uses
Bismillah means ‘in the name of God’ and may be said before starting to eat. Bssa7a ( بالصحة ) expresses a wish to someone else. You can hear both at the same meal, but they do not mean the same thing.
Practise being invited to dinner
Imagine eating at a friend’s home: greet each other, reply to their wish and thank them for the meal. Select Moroccan Darija in SayDarija to continue practising the conversation with the AI tutor.
Frequently asked questions
What do you reply to bsaha?
Can you say bssa7a after a meal?
Is bssa7a Standard Arabic?
Further reading
See Darija Facile’s examples of everyday expressions, including the wish for good health and its reply. Usage can vary between families and regions.