I Love You in Moroccan Arabic: Romantic Darija Expressions

love expressions romance

Couple learning to say I love you in Moroccan Arabic

Learning how to say “I love you” in Moroccan Arabic (Darija) is one of the most beautiful and useful things you can do — whether you’re dating a Moroccan, have Moroccan friends, or just love the culture!

In Darija, expressing love can be sweet, funny, or poetic, depending on the situation. Let’s explore how Moroccans say “I love you” and other romantic expressions.

The Basic Way to Say “I Love You” in Moroccan Arabic

Here’s how to say it depending on who you’re speaking to 👇

To a man: Kanbghik — “I love you”
To a woman: Kanbghik — same pronunciation!
(Darija doesn’t change this expression for gender in casual speech.)

So whether you’re saying it to your partner or family, kanbghik works perfectly!

🗣️ Pronunciation tip: Say it like kan-b-gh-eek. The “gh” is a deep sound from the throat (like the French “r” in rue).

Other Romantic Ways to Say “I Love You” in Darija

Here are a few other ways Moroccans express love and affection:

Nta 3ziz 3liya → “You’re dear to me”
Twa7schtk → “I miss you”
Raki f qalbi → “You’re in my heart”
Ntmna nkoun m3ak daba → “I wish I were with you right now”
Hbibi / Hbiba → “My love” (for a man / for a woman)

These are super common in daily conversations, text messages, and even Moroccan songs. Or listen to The Daily Darija Podcast : Episode 22

Cultural Note: Moroccans and Love Expressions

Moroccans are warm and expressive, but they often show love through actions and humor, not just words.

You might hear phrases like:

Allah ykhalik lia → “May God keep you for me” (a loving, caring way to express affection)
Nti zwina bezaf → “You’re so beautiful”
3andi m3ak lkhir → “I care deeply about you”

In Moroccan culture, love is about connection, loyalty, and kindness, not only romance.

Practice Love Expressions with the Daily Darija Podcast

Want to hear how these phrases sound and practice them naturally?

🎙️ Listen to the Daily Darija Podcast — we teach real Romantic Moroccan Arabic expressions with English explanations, cultural tips, and example conversations.

🔗 Listen here → www.dailydarija.com/podcast

You’ll find episodes where we practice daily phrases like greetings, compliments, and love expressions — all in a slow, clear Darija accent.

Call to Action

Ready to tell someone Kanbghik with confidence?

👉 Practice these love expressions out loud,
🎧 Listen to the Daily Darija Podcast for real pronunciation.
📲 Follow @dailydarija on Instagram for daily Darija lessons and videos.