A well-known Moroccan proverb
Li fat mat ( اللي فات مات ) literally means "what is past is dead". It is used to invite someone to leave the past behind and move forward.
Wisdom and patience
| Proverb (darija) | Arabic | Meaning in French |
|---|---|---|
| Li fat mat | اللي فات مات | What is past is dead (turns the page). |
| Sber miftah l-faraj | الصبر مفتاح الفرج | Patience is the key to relief. |
| Kul ta5ir fih khir | كل تأخير فيه خير | Any delay is good. |
| Shwiya b shwiya kayt3ammar l-wad | شوية بشوية كيتعمر الواد | Little by little, the river fills: patience produces results. |
These proverbs are used to encourage someone after a difficulty or when a project is progressing slowly. Sber miftah l-faraj emphasizes patience; shwiya b shwiya reminds us that small progress counts.
Family and friendship
| Proverb (darija) | Arabic | Meaning in French |
|---|---|---|
| Sahbek li ybkik machi li ydah7kek | صاحبك اللي يبكيك ماشي اللي يضحكك | Your true friend is the one who makes you cry (tells you the truth), not the one who makes you laugh. |
| L-yed l-wa7da ma tsaffeqsh | اليد الوحدة ما تصفقش | Only one hand does not clap (we need the others). |
| Dar bla wlad dar bla baraka | دار بلا ولاد دار بلا بركة | A house without children is a house without blessing. |
L-yed l-wa7da ma tsaffeqsh is particularly useful when talking about cooperation: at work, with family or between neighbors, one person cannot accomplish everything alone. The proverb about a true friend reminds us that an honest word can be more valuable than an easy compliment.
Humor and daily life
| Proverb (darija) | Arabic | Meaning in French |
|---|---|---|
| Li bgha l-3sel ysber l-qriss dyal n-n7l | اللي بغا العسل يصبر لقريص النحل | Whoever wants honey must endure bee stings. |
| L-9erd f 3in mmu ghzal | القرد في عين مو غزال | The monkey is a gazelle in his mother's eyes (love makes one blind to faults). |
| 3ttini l-3afya nwerrik l-3jayeb | عطيني العافية نوريك العجايب | Give me the means and I will do wonders for you. |
| Dreb l-7did ma 7eddo skhoun | ضرب الحديد ما حدو سخون | Strike while the iron is hot: take advantage of the right moment to act. |
Tone matters as much as translation. L-9erd f 3in mmu ghzal is often said with humor, while the honey proverb serves as a reminder that a valuable result sometimes requires effort or sacrifice.
How to read and understand a proverb in Darija
The same phrase can appear with multiple Latin spellings, because darija does not have a single transliteration. In this guide, 3 represents the letter ع, 7 represents ح, and 9 represents ق. Writing and pronunciation may also vary slightly between Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Fez or northern Morocco.
A word-for-word translation is not always enough. To understand a proverb, look at the image used, the situation in which it is said and the person's intention: to advise, joke, console or criticize. It is this context that transforms a short sentence into a true cultural expression.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “proverb” in Darija?
What Moroccan proverb talks about patience?
Why do proverbs have several Latin scripts?
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