In this lesson, we will talk about the loanwords in Moroccan Arabic, which Darija borrowed from other languages, such as French and Spanish, so if you already know one or both, this one is for you.
Spanish Loanwords In Moroccan Arabic
Blasa بلاصة (ES plaza) place
Bocadio بوكاديو (ES bocadillo) sandwich, which is also used
Cama كامة (ES cama) bed, only used in the north
Fabor فابور (ES favor) used to say «for free»
Factura فاكتورة (ES factura) the bill
Falso فالصو (ES falso) false/not original
Fishta فيشطة (ES fiesta) ceremony
Fondoفوندو (ES fondo) bottom of the swimming pool or the sea
Karrosa كروسة (ES carroza) trolley
Kumir كومير (ES comer) to eat in Spanish but Moroccan use the word kumir for the Parisian bread
Kurda كوردة (ES cuerda) rope
Kuzinaكوزينة (ES cocina) kitchen
Manta مانطة (ES manta) blanket
Mario ماريو (ES el almario) the closet
Playa بلايا (ES Playa) beach
Rwida رويضة (ES Rueda) wheel
Semana سيمانة (ES Semana) week
Note: you can practice what you’ve learned here, and learn how to pronounce each of the words in our Memrise course here, don’t know how to use the platform or sign up? we’ve got you covered in this easy-to-follow tutorial here.
French Loanwords In Moroccan Arabic
Bakiya باكية (FR paquet) package
Banka بانكة (FR banque) bank
Batoباطو (FR bateau)
Bertma برطمة (FR appartement) apartement
Beshklita بشكليطة (FR bicyclette) bike
Bolis بوليس (FR police) police
Bombiya بومبية (Fr pompiers) firefighters
Brika بريكة (FR briquet) lighter
Bwata بواطة (FR boite) box
Formaj فرماج (FR fromage) cheese
Forshita فورشيطة (FR fourchette) fork
Garaj جاراج (FR garage)
Grafata كرافاطة (FR cravate) tie
Lagar لاغار (FR la gare) train station
Lbosta لبوسطة (la poste) the poste office
Plakar بلاكار (FR placard) cupboard
Rompwan رمبوان (FR rondpoint) traffic circle
Sbitarسبيطار (FR hôpital) hospital
Serbita سربيتة (FR serviette) napkin
Tabla طابلة (FR table) table
Telefon تيليفون (FR téléphone) telephone
Tilifision تيليفيزيون (FR télévision) television
Tobisطوبيس (FR autobus) bus
Tomobil/tonobil طوموبيل/طونوبيل (FR automobile) car
Tranتران (train) train
Zizwar زيزوار (FR rasoir) shaver
These were some of the many words that Darija borrowed from Spanish and French, some that we have already seen before in the nouns list, if you know other ones, feel free to comment them below.
Happy learning!
Oualid Cheddadi is a language enthusiast who created Lingualid with the mission to inspire independent language learners worldwide, regardless of the language they are learning. The name “Lingualid” is derived from the Portuguese word for “language,” “língua,” and the last three letters of Oualid’s name, “Lid.”