How to Ask Questions in Darija (Moroccan Arabic for Curious Minds)
Aug 07, 2025
How to Ask Questions in Darija (Moroccan Arabic for Curious Minds)
Whether you're shopping in a souk, meeting someone new, or just trying to get directions, asking questions is essential to speaking any language—especially Darija!
In this post, we’ll break down how to ask basic "who, what, where, why, how" style questions in Moroccan Arabic. Get ready to sound natural and curious 🇲🇦✨
❓ Question Words in Darija
| English | Darija | |
|---|---|---|
| What? |
shno? / Ashno? |
|
| Who? |
Shkon? |
|
| Where? |
Fin? |
|
| When? |
Imta? |
|
| Why? |
3lash? |
|
| How? |
Kifash? |
|
| How much? |
Sh7al? |
|
| Which one? |
Ash mn? |
🗣️ Useful Example Questions
Here are common questions you’ll hear or use daily in Morocco:
| Darija | English Meaning |
|---|---|
| Shno smitak? |
What's your name? |
| Fin katskan? |
Where do you live? |
| Sh7al f 3amrak? |
How old are you? |
| Fin la7mam? |
Where is the public bath? |
| Kifash kangolo "hello" b l3arbiya? |
How do I say “hello” in Arabic? |
| 3lash t3atalti? |
Why are you late? |
| Shkon hada/hadi? |
Who is this? |
| Imta ghadi tmshi? |
When will you go? |
🧠 Structure Tips:
In Darija, questions are often just the question word + sentence. There’s no need to flip the verb or add extra words like in English or French.
For example:
-
“You go” = nta ghadi tmshi
-
“When will you go?” = Imta gahdi tmshi?
Super straightforward, right?
🎧 Pronunciation Practice
✅ You can listen to all these questions (with slow pronunciation!) on our Instagram Reels.
Follow along and repeat after each clip to build muscle memory.
📌 Bonus Tip: Be Curious!
Asking questions is a great way to learn and connect. Even if your Darija isn’t perfect, Moroccans really appreciate the effort.
Try this phrase next time you're stuck:
-
Kifash ngol hadi b Darija?
(How do I say this in Darija?)
You’ll instantly open up the conversation.
📲 Keep Learning with Daily Darija
Looking for real-life examples and printable practice?
👉 Check out our courses on www.dailydarija.com
🎙️ Or listen to our podcast on Spotify : The Daily Darija Podcast