In Morocco, greeting people warmly matters more than perfect grammar. Even a single word of Darija makes shopkeepers, taxi drivers and family light up. The good news: you only need a handful of greetings to sound friendly and respectful.
The core Moroccan greetings
These work everywhere, all day, with anyone. "Salam" is your safest, most universal hello.
| Darija (Latin) | Arabic | Meaning | When to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salam | سلام | Hi / Peace | Anytime, anyone — the universal hello |
| Salam 3alaykum | السلام عليكم | Peace be upon you | Slightly more formal / respectful |
| Sbah l-khir | صباح الخير | Good morning | Before noon |
| Msa l-khir | مساء الخير | Good evening | Afternoon & evening |
| Ahlan | أهلا | Welcome / Hi | Friendly, casual |
Asking how someone is
After "salam", Moroccans almost always ask how you are. These two are the ones you will hear constantly:
| Darija (Latin) | Arabic | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Labas? | لاباس؟ | You good? / All well? (also means "I'm fine") |
| Kidayr? (to a man) | كيداير؟ | How are you? |
| Kidayra? (to a woman) | كيدايرة؟ | How are you? |
| Ki dayrin? (to a group) | كي دايرين؟ | How are you all? |
How to reply
Keep it simple and positive. The classic exchange is "Labas?" → "Labas, l7amdullah."
- Labas, l7amdullah (لاباس، الحمد لله) — "I'm fine, thank God." The default reply to almost anything.
- Bikhir (بخير) — "Good / well."
- Kollchi mzyan (كلشي مزيان) — "Everything's great."
- Shukran (شكرا) — "Thank you." Follow with 3afak (عفاك) for "please."
Saying goodbye
| Darija (Latin) | Arabic | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Bslama | بسلامة | Goodbye (go in peace) |
| Thala f rasek | تهلا فراسك | Take care of yourself |
| Nchoufek | نشوفك | See you |
Practice these greetings in SayDarija
Open SayDarija and type "how do I greet someone politely in Morocco?" Your AI tutor replies with natural Darija, Arabic script and audio. Then tap Speak to say "Salam, labas?" out loud and get pronunciation feedback, or start the Roleplay where you greet a shopkeeper. Save your favourites to the phrasebook for review before your trip.
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