How do you say oregano, thyme and rye in Darija Arabic?
Origan se dit za3tar ( زعتر ), thym z3itra ( زعيترة ) and rye s-sikal ( السيكال ). Fennel is called besbas , sage salmiya and oats khortal .
Aromatic herbs and medicinal plants in Darija
In Morocco, herbs are sold at the 3eshshab (herbalist) or at the market, and many are used as herbal teas. Here are the names you will hear.
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Oregano | za3tar | زعتر |
| Thyme | z3itra | زعيترة |
| Sage | salmiya | السالمية |
| Mint | n3na3 | نعناع |
| Pennyroyal (fliou) | fliyou | فليو |
| Verbena | louiza | لويزة |
| Linden | tilyo | التيليو |
| Chamomile | babounj | بابونج |
| Fennel | besbas | بسباس |
| Dill | shibt | الشبت |
| Green anise | 7abbet 7lawa | حبة حلاوة |
| Cilantro | qesbor | قزبر |
| Parsley | m3ednous | معدنوس |
| Basil | l-7beq | الحبق |
| Tarragon | tarkhoun | الطرخون |
| Marjoram | merdeddoush | المردقوش |
| Laurel | wraq sidna moussa | ورق سيدنا موسى |
| Rosemary | azir | أزير |
| Lavender | l-khzama | الخزامة |
| Mugwort | shi7 | الشيح |
| Absinthe | shiba | الشيبة |
| Valerian | n-nardin (7shishet l-qett) | الناردين |
| Hawthorn | z3rour | الزعرور |
| Dandelion | hindba berriya | الهندباء البرية |
| Garden cress | 7ebb r-rshad | حب الرشاد |
| Nettle | l-7erriga | الحريكة |
| Myrtle | r-ri7an | الريحان |
| Moringa | moringa (shajrat l-7ayat) | المورينجا |
| Hibiscus (karkadé) | karkadi | الكركديه |
| Bergamot | bergamot | برغموت |
| Lemongrass | l-7shisha l-limouniya | الحشيشة الليمونية |
Spices in darija
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Cumin | kamoun | كمون |
| Turmeric | kherqoum | خرقوم |
| Ginger | skinjbir | سكنجبير |
| Saffron | z3fran l-7orr | الزعفران الحر |
| Cinnamon | qerfa | القرفة |
| Clove | qronfel | القرنفل |
| Cardamom | qa3qolla | القعقلة |
| Black pepper | lebzar | لبزار |
| Paprika | felfla 7lowa | الفلفلة الحلوة |
| Hot pepper | felfla 7arra | الفلفلة الحارة |
| Nigella | sanouj | السانوج |
| Fenugreek | l-7elba | الحلبة |
| Sesame | jeljlan | جلجلان |
| Flax seeds | zerri3et l-kettan | زريعة الكتان |
| Star anise | badiyana | البديانة |
| Ras el hanout | ras l-7anout | راس الحانوت |
| Gum arabic | meska 7orra | المسكة الحرة |
| Garlic | touma | الثوم |
| Onion | besla | البصلة |
| Salt | mel7a | الملحة |
ras l-7anout ("the head of the shop") is Morocco's signature spice blend: it can contain more than twenty ingredients from this list.
Cereals, seeds and plants in Arabic Darija
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Rye | s-sikal | السيكال |
| Buckwheat (buckwheat) | l-qem7 l-k7el (7inta sawda) | القمح الكحل |
| Oats | khortal | الخرطال |
| Barley | sh3ir | الشعير |
| Wheat | qem7 / zra3 | القمح |
| Durum wheat (semolina) | smida | السميدة |
| Spelled | l-qem7 l-khoshen | القمح الخشن |
| Millet | illan | إيلان |
| Corn | dra | الدرة |
| Rice | rouz | الروز |
| Quinoa | kinwa | الكينوا |
| Cassava | manyok (kasava) | المانيوك |
| Rhubarb | ribas | الريباس |
| Cranberry | tout berri (kranberi) | التوت البري |
| Clay (ghassoul) | ghassoul / tin | الغاسول |
| Green clay | tin khder | الطين الأخضر |
The most sought after plants in Arabic darija
Rye in Arabic darija
Rye is s-sikal ( السيكال ) in Moroccan darija. The word comes from the French “rye”: we speak of khobz s-sikal for rye bread.
Oregano in Arabic Darija
Oregano is za3tar ( زعتر ) in Moroccan darija. In Morocco, za3tar designates oregano ( Origanum compactum ), widely used as an infusion against colds; Thyme is called z3itra .
Buckwheat in Arabic Darija
Sarrasin is l-qem7 l-k7el ( القمح الكحل ) in Moroccan darija. Literally “black wheat”; we also hear 7inta sawda or simply “buckwheat”.
Fennel in Arabic darija
Fennel is besbas ( بسباس ) in Moroccan darija. Fennel seeds ( zerri3et l-besbas ) flavor bread and herbal teas.
Sage in Arabic darija
Sage is salmiya ( السالمية ) in Moroccan darija. Often added to mint tea in winter.
Thyme in Arabic darija
Thyme is z3itra ( زعيترة ) in Moroccan darija. Not to be confused with za3tar (oregano).
Linden in Arabic Darija
Tilleul is tilyo ( التيليو ) in Moroccan darija. Word borrowed from French, used for the flower in herbal tea.
Oats in Arabic darija
Oat is khortal ( الخرطال ) in Moroccan darija. Oatmeal is called khortal m7erres .
Valerian in Arabic Darija
Valerian is n-nardin ( الناردين ) in Moroccan darija. Also called 7shishet l-qett (“catnip”).
Request a plant from the herbalist
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Do you have any thyme? | Wash 3endek z3itra ? | واش عندك زعيترة؟ |
| I want 100 g of oregano | Bghit mya gram dyal za3tar | بغيت مية غرام ديال زعتر |
| What is it good for? | Mezyan l ash ? | مزيان لاش؟ |
| For colds | L r-rwa7 | للرواح |
| A sage infusion | Kas dyal salmiya | كاس ديال السالمية |
| How much is a kilo? | Bsh7al l-kilo ? | بشحال الكيلو؟ |
To count and negotiate quantities, see Darija numbers ; for fruits, vegetables and meats, see food in darija .
Frequently asked questions
How do you say rye in Arabic darija?
How do you say oregano in Arabic darija?
How do you say buckwheat in Darija Arabic?
How do you say fennel in Arabic darija?
How do you say sage in Arabic darija?
How do you say lime tree in Moroccan Arabic?
How do you say oats in Darija Arabic?
Ask any word, hear it spoken
A plant or spice missing from this list? Write it in French in SayDarija: the AI tutor gives you the word in Darija, the Arabic script and the audio pronunciation, then has you repeat it.
Download on App Store