Travelling to Morocco? Maybe its time for some basic Berber – Tamazight Travel Phrases!

If you have already been to Morocco, then you know that French, although not being official language of Morocco, will get you a long way in communication with locals. If you have some knowledge of Arabic, even better. Those dependent on English language will notice that English is emerging in Morocco, specially in urban areas, yet you might still have problems when it comes to communication.

Although Berber Tamazight is not a mandatory language to grab on for Morocco trip,  maybe some basic, basic words will come handy, special when travelling Atlas region and Sahara.

 

Tamazight Language

Berber language also known as Tamazight has different varieties of languages spoken in Morocco and some parts of Northern Africa.

The varieties of Berber languages include Tarifit spoken in northern Morocco region of Rif, Tashelhiyt spoken in  the south, and some part of south west which includes High Atlas, Anti Atlas, and it also spoken in regions outside of High Atlas. Tamazight is also spoken in central Morocco. All in all, according to statistics,  Tanazight is spoken by 20 to 25 million people.

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 The Berber languages have had a written tradition for over 2,000 years, they are written in the Tifinagh alphabet,the oldest dated inscription is from about 200 BC.

So below are few phrases that were translated by original Berber!

Tifinagh alphabet bereber language travel phrases morocco

 

Berber  Tamazight Greetings

  • Hi/ Hello:  azul
  • How are you? : mataànit ?
  • I am great! : labas

 

  • Good morning : sbah Lkhir
  • Good afternoon: ms lkhir
  • Good evening :ms lkhir
  • Good night : temsiwin
  • Good bye: layàwn
  • See you later : ar netmezra

 

  • Yes : ah
  • No : oho
  • Maybe : imken
  • I dont know : our ain’t

 

  • My name is….  : manismank
  • I come from Usa, uk : nkin sg USA U.K.
  • Thank you! : tanmert, Saha
  • You are welcome: mrehba

Tamazight berber travel phrases morocco

Numbers

  • 0 sifr
  • 1 wahd
  • 2 jouj
  • 3 tlata
  • 4 rebaà
  • 5 khemsa
  • 6 seta

 

  • 7seb3a
  • 8 tmanya
  • 9 tesaà
  • 10 àachra

&

 

  • 11 hdaàch
  • 12 tnaàch
  • 13 tletaàch

 

  • 14 rbaàtaàch
  • 15 khemastaàch
  • 16 staàch
  • 17 sbaàtach

 

  • 18 tmentaàch
  • 19 tsaàtach
  • 20 aàchrin
  • 30 tlatin

 

  • 40 rabàin
  • 50 Khersin
  • 60 stin

 

  • 70 Sebàin
  • 80 tmanyin
  • 90 tesàin
  • 100 meya

Drinks, Food  and Moroccan Dishes

  • Coffee (with sugar / milk): lqehwa (nes nes / slehlib )
  • Tea (without sugar) : atag bla sukar
  • Orange juice : laàsir n limoun
  • Avocado juice : laàsir n lavoca

 

  • Olives : zitoun
  • Water : Amanda
  • Vegetable tagine : tagin s lekhdart

 

  • Beef tagine: tagin slbagri
  • Chicken tagine : tagin soufoulous
  • Bread : aghroum
  • Omelette: reflate

 

  • Dinner: Imenssi
  • Breakfast: leftour
  • Lunch: inklli
  • Moroccan salad : chalada

 

  • Other Moroccan dishes: àfak kan lamakla Yasmin n marroc, Tgalya, Seksou
  • Ahrir : soup

 

  • Cheers! : besha ,stsant
  • Spices: laàtrya
  • Cinnamon : lqerfa
  • Saffron : zaàfran

 

  • Cumin : takamimt
  • Salt : tesant
  • Sugar : Sukar

Shopping

  • How much is it?  Mechta
  • Its too expensive! Ighla bezaf
  • Can I get a discount? Imkan atnaqst
  • Deal! : Netafq

 

  • How much is this carpet: chehal taxrbit
  • leather shoes: idoukan ifsousn
  • bag : sack
  • scarf:  zif

Also read:

Days of the week

  • Saturday : sbit
  • Sunday: lhed
  • Monday : Letnin

 

  • Tuesday : tllati
  • Wednesday: latbeà
  • Thursday : lekhmis
  • Friday : jemaà

 

  • Tomorrow : asks
  • Today : adder
  • Yesterday: asnat
  •  

Travel

  • Bus : lcar
  • Taxi : taxi
  • Grand taxi station : taxi takhatart

 

  • Bus station : lmahta nlkiran
  • Desert : Sehrra
  • i got lost. : Zlir
  • Canyon : Agni

 

  • Gorge: taghya
  • Road : abrid

 

Compliments

  • You are beautiful.: tehlit
  • I like you. Tehlit ghori
  • I love you. Righk

Translations provided by Ilias,Mountain Bereber Guide.