Quick answer
In Moroccan Darija, shkun means “who”, shnu “what”, fin “where”, kifash “how”, imta “when” and 3lash “why”. To ask a price, use bsh7al . For a yes or no question, wash is a useful starting point.
What words should I use to ask a question?
| English | Darija | What you are looking for |
|---|---|---|
| Who? | shkun | A person |
| What? | shnu / ashnu | A thing or an action |
| Which? | ashmen | A choice among several possibilities |
| Where? | fin / fayn | A place |
| How? | kifash | A way of doing something |
| From where? | mnin | An origin or provenance |
| When? | imta / fuqash | A time |
| Why? | 3lash | A reason |
| How much? | sh7al / bsh7al | A quantity / a price |
Variants separated by a bar are not words to be pronounced together. Choose one form to start, then learn to recognize the others. In this transcription, sh represents the sound at the start of “shop”; 3 and 7 represent Arabic sounds. Consult the darija transcription guide for help reading the examples.
Short questions to reuse
| Darija | English | Noteworthy |
|---|---|---|
| Shnu smitk ? | What’s your name? | Literally, the question asks for your name. |
| Fin kayn l-otil ? | Where is the hotel? | Also prepare the name of the location you are looking for. |
| Mnin nta ? / Mnin nti ? | Where are you from? | The first form is addressed to a man; the second to a woman. |
| Imta ? | When? | A short follow-up when the topic is already clear. |
| Bsh7al hada ? | How much does this cost? | Show or name the object to remove doubt. |
A question is only useful if you understand the answer somewhat. With fin , review the directions; with imta , days and time; with bsh7al , the numbers and the prices. Start with just one of these exchanges.
How to ask a yes or no question?
Wash introduces many yes/no questions. For example, Wash nta turist ? means “are you a tourist?” when speaking to a man. For a woman, we use nti instead of nta . The Peace Corps manual writes this word weš , with a different transcription convention.
Avoid replacing all question words with this one word. A closed question verifies information; a question with “where” or “why” asks for new information. Tone and context remain essential: prepare a question adapted to the relationship and the situation.
Exercises: choose the right word
Hide the answers. Choose from fin, mnin, imta, bsh7al to ask about: 1. a price at the market; 2. the day of an appointment; 3. where the person you are speaking to comes from; 4. the location of the hotel.
See correction and explanation
- Bsh7al : we are looking for a price.
- Imta : we're looking for a moment.
- Mnin : we are looking for a provenance.
- Fin : we are looking for a location.
Then replay a single exchange with a partner. Vary the price or location, then see if you can respond to a different answer. If you cannot follow the answer, use a request for repetition before continuing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between “fin” and “mnin”?
Fin asks where something is or where an action is happening. Mnin asks where someone or something comes from. To begin, associate them with “where” and “where from” respectively.
Do “Shhal” and “bshhal” mean the same thing?
The spellings shhal / sh7al represent a question of quantity. With the prefix b , bsh7al is commonly used to request a price. The complete construction depends on what you are counting or measuring.
Sources and method
Grammar references checked against Moroccan Arabic Textbook, Peace Corps Morocco, 2011 edition , printed pages 56–57. The explanations, selection of examples and exercises on this page are a teaching adaptation by SayDarija; they are not an official Peace Corps assessment.
Transcription is simplified for beginners. Usages and spellings vary according to speakers and regions. This page has not been independently validated by a teacher; to report an error or suggest regional usage, contact SayDarija .