How to say “happy birthday” in Darija?
Joyeux anniversaire se dit 3id milad sa3id ( عيد ميلاد سعيد ), pronounced "îd milad saîd". To congratulate, say Mabrouk ( مبروك ). For a happy Eid, say Mabrouk l-3id ( مبروك العيد ) or 3id mubarak sa3id ( عيد مبارك سعيد ). The natural answer is Allah ybarek fik ( الله يبارك فيك ).
Happy birthday in Darija (happy birthday in Moroccan)
In phonetics, we often write 3id milad sa3id or “aïd milad saïd”: the 3 notes the Arabic consonant “ع”. This is the standard formula, understood everywhere in Morocco, in an SMS as well as orally.
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Happy Birthday | 3id milad sa3id | عيد ميلاد سعيد |
| Happy birthday (warm) | Mabrouk 3lik 3id l-milad | مبروك عليك عيد الميلاد |
| Happy birthday my love | 3id milad sa3id a 7bibi / a 7bibti | عيد ميلاد سعيد أ حبيبي / حبيبتي |
| Happy birthday my brother / sister | 3id milad sa3id a khoya / a khti | عيد ميلاد سعيد أ خويا / أ ختي |
| I wish you a happy new year | Ntmanna lik 3am zwin | نتمنى ليك عام زوين |
| Long live you | Allah y3tik s-sa7a w l-3omr twil | الله يعطيك الصحة والعمر طويل |
| May God bless you | Allah y7afdek | الله يحفظك |
Congratulations in Darija: mabrouk
Mabrouk ( مبروك ) is THE word to congratulate in Moroccan Arabic: marriage, birth, diploma, new job, Eid. We answer Allah ybarek fik .
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Congratulations! | Mabrouk ! | مبروك |
| Congratulations (wedding) | Mabrouk l-3ers | مبروك العرس |
| Congratulations (birth) | Mabrouk l-mouloud | مبروك المولود |
| Congratulations (diploma, success) | Mabrouk n-naja7 | مبروك النجاح |
| Many congratulations | Alf mabrouk | ألف مبروك |
| Bravo / well done | Bravo 3lik | برافو عليك |
| May it bring you luck | Bsaha w raha | بالصحة والراحة |
Happy Birthday in Moroccan Arabic: Eid and Ramadan
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Happy Ramadan | Ramadan mubarak | رمضان مبارك |
| Happy Birthday (Eid) | Mabrouk l-3id | مبروك العيد |
| Eid Mubarak and happy | 3id mubarak sa3id | عيد مبارك سعيد |
| Happy religious holidays | 3wacher mbrouka | عواشر مبروكة |
3wacher mbrouka is a very Moroccan formula used around major religious periods. For a simple message understood everywhere, Mabrouk l-3id remains the most direct choice.
Happy New Year in Darija
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Happy New Year | 3am sa3id / 3am mabrouk | عام سعيد / عام مبروك |
| Happy New Year, full of happiness | 3am sa3id, Allah yj3lo 3am dyal l-khir | عام سعيد، الله يجعلو عام ديال الخير |
| Happy New Year (response) | Allah ybarek fik, 3lina w 3lik | الله يبارك فيك، علينا وعليك |
Good night, bon appetit & bon voyage
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Good night | Tesbah 3la khir | تصبح على خير |
| Enjoy your meal | Bssa7a | بالصحة |
| Have a good trip | Triq salama | طريق السلامة |
| Get well soon | Allah y shafik | الله يشافيك |
Triq salama: meaning and how to respond
Triq salama ( طريق السلامة , also written "trik salama" or "triq slama") means bon voyage , literally “safety route”. We say it to someone who takes the road, the plane or simply who goes home in the evening.
| We tell you | You can respond | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Triq salama | Allah ysellmek الله يسلمك | May God bless you (classic response) |
| Triq salama | Shukran, bslama شكرا، بسلامة | Thank you, goodbye |
| Triq salama | Allah y7afdek الله يحفظك | May God protect you too |
How to respond to a wish
In Morocco, a wish almost always calls for an answer — and knowing it makes all the difference. When someone says Mabrouk (“congratulations”), the usual response is Allah ybarek fik (“God bless you too”). If someone wishes you Bssa7a after a meal, a bath or a haircut, say Allah y3tik saha (“may God give you health”). And to Tesbah 3la khir (“good night”), we respond W nta men ahlou to a man, W nti men ahlou to a woman.
The word Allah often recurs in these formulas: Allah y7afdek , Allah y shafik , Allah ysehhel . It's not just for religious people — it's the most natural and warm way to wish someone well in Darija, the equivalent of "take care of yourself" or "good luck" in French. Using them will immediately make you appear closer and more polished.
| We tell you | You can respond | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Mabrouk | Allah ybarek fik | God bless you too |
| Ramadan mubarak | Allah ybarek fik, 3lina w 3lik | To us and to you too |
| Bssa7a | Allah y3tik s-sa7a | May God give you health |
| Tesbah 3la khir | W nta / nti men ahlou | And so are you |
| 3id milad sa3id | Shukran bzzaf, Allah ykhllik | Thank you very much, God bless you |
| Triq salama | Allah ysellmek | May God bless you |
Choosing the right tone
For a written message — SMS, WhatsApp — add words of affection depending on the relationship: a khoya (“my brother”), a khti (“my sister”), or a 3zizi / a 3zizti (“my dear”). For a formal occasion such as a wedding or a birth, the full formula Mabrouk, Allah ytemmem b khir (“congratulations, may God see everything through to success”) is ideal. Among friends, a simple Bravo 3lik! is more than enough.
Messages ready to send
- 3id mubarak sa3id, ydkhol 3lik b s-sa7a w s-salama. — Happy birthday, with health and serenity.
- Mabrouk 3lik 3id l-milad, ntmanna lik 3am zwin. — Happy birthday, I wish you a happy new year.
- Mabrouk l-3ers, Allah ykemmel b l-khir. — Félicitations pour le mariage, que tout se poursuive dans le bonheur.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say happy birthday in Darija?
How to say congratulations in Moroccan Arabic?
How to say happy birthday in Moroccan Arabic?
What does triq salama mean and what to say?
How to say happy new year in Moroccan Arabic?
The right wish, in the right tone
Tell SayDarija the occasion and who you are speaking to, and receive the wish in natural Darija — with Arabic writing, meaning and pronunciation. Perfect for a birthday text or celebratory message that really touches you.
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