Updated August 2024

The local dialect of Arabic in Morocco is called Darija (الدارجة), which means “everyday, colloquial language.” Each country where Arabic is the primary language has developed its own local language. Arabs often refer to this local language as a “dialect” of Arabic, but Moroccan Arabic is a mixture of numerous different languages and was especially influenced by Amazigh/Berber. Modern Standard Arabic (MSA/Fossha), which is the international Arabic language, is used in writing and in official communication, but often feels somewhat artificial, or stuffy, because people don’t actually speak MSA. Because the Arabic language is so closely connected to religion, the language has not been able to freely develop the way other languages do; however, the Darija of each country is the language of the people that changes and adapts over time.

Arabic dialects live, change, and evolve, and can be properly understood as a continuum of Arabic. Speakers of Darija with geographic proximity will tend to understand each other, whereas Arabic speakers from distant places will have a harder time understanding each other. As a result, speakers of Moroccan Arabic will often not be understood by Arabic speakers from the East. Interestingly, Moroccans will understand Arabic from the Middle East (these dialects being closer to Classical Arabic), and because countries like Egypt have a great reach in the Arab world through movies and music. It has been estimated that Moroccan Darija shares over 70-75% of its vocabulary with Fossha, and is, therefore, a good starting point to learn any type of Arabic.

Moroccan Darija is not 100% Arabic because it contains a mixture of words taken from Modern Standard Arabic, Amazigh/Berber language, French, and to a lesser extent words from Spanish and English. Moroccan Darija speakers frequently borrow words from French and Spanish (in northern Morocco) and conjugate them according to the rules of the dialect, which makes for some interesting-sounding words. Additionally, it continues to evolve by integrating new French or English words, especially in technical fields. 

Why is it beneficial to learn an Arabic dialect?

Learning Moroccan Darija is helpful for people who plan to live in Morocco or at least spend a significant portion of time in the country. Not only do you need Darija to get by on a daily basis (greetings, shops, restaurants, taxis, etc.) but also in order to connect with people.

Starting with a spoken dialect from day one offers significant advantages. You'll have a much better time communicating with everyday people than you would if you tried doing it through Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). This immediate practical application of Darija means you can begin interacting and making connections right away, rather than struggling with the formalities and less-used aspects of MSA.

By focusing on Darija from the start, you align your learning with the real-world language used in everyday situations. This approach not only makes daily interactions smoother but also enhances your ability to form meaningful relationships and fully immerse yourself in Moroccan culture.

Is it worthwhile to learn Modern Satndard Arabic?

Learning Modern Standard Arabic (Fossha) is worthwhile for those who wish to live, work, or interact in the Arabic-speaking world. Knowing Fossha is necessary for the purpose of taking in information, such as reading signs and documents, and listening to the news and other media. If your goal is to work in media, diplomacy, interpretation, or to have the broadest Arabic opportunities available, then Modern Standard Arabic will be the best route for you.

At an advanced level of Darija, you will encounter a considerable amount of Fossha vocabulary and expressions. That is when we advise you to complement your studies of Darija with at least a basic start into Fossha. Thus you will get a more comprehensive understanding of word formation rules which will help you immensely with your active use of the Arabic language. By daily usage of Darija you will consolidate what you have learned and by studying Fossha you expand your treasure of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions. Any student who wants to draw from or relate to non-oral sources in their Arabic communication needs to get started with Fossha studies after attaining an intermediate level of Darija.

Should I learn Modern Standard Arabic or a dialect first?

The answer to this question depends on your goal for studying a language. A local dialect of Arabic, such as Moroccan Darija, is useful for communicating in everyday life. Modern Standard Arabic is a literary language used in official settings and media. However, Darija is a useful starting point to continue Arabic studies.

Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is not the lingua franca of the Arab world; it's known as a prestige language, often used in formal writing, official speeches, and media. While MSA has a standardized form, it is not used in daily conversations.

Don't think of it as a neutral dialect either.

The spoken dialects vary significantly in terms of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. For instance, a person fluent in MSA may struggle to understand a local dialect. This can make the learning process frustrating if your goal is to engage in everyday conversations.

If your original goal was to become conversationally fluent in Arabic, then it makes those years feel like a waste of time.

To achieve conversational fluency, it's recommended to start with a spoken dialect. Choose a dialect based on the region you're most interested in or the community you'll interact with the most. Whether it's Egyptian Arabic, Levantine Arabic, or Moroccan Darija, starting with a dialect will make your learning experience more practical and rewarding.

Get started on a spoken dialect from day one! Choose a spoken dialect, stick with it, and see it through to fluency.

Conclusion

A local dialect of Arabic, such as Moroccan Darija, is useful for communicating in everyday life. Modern Standard Arabic is a literary language used in official settings and media. However, Darija is a useful starting point to continue Arabic studies. Even a minimal amout of Darija study, like our half-day Curious Explorer course or week-long Serious Explorer course would be helpful for you to get around Morocco.

Learn more about our Darija program here. Learn more about our Modern Standard Arabic program here.

Student Review:

“When I completed most of the Moroccan Darrija courses offered by Crossroads Cultural Exchange, I wanted to continue in my Arabic language development by studying Modern Standard Arabic for use in the workplace (educational institutions) and for international communication. After an initial period of intensive study and a very long hiatus, I have returned to study at a much slower pace, once session per week, with the teachers at Crossroads. I find that with every new grammar point or family of vocabulary words that I learn, my understanding of written and formal Arabic around me grows. The use of Modern Standard Arabic in Morocco is pervasive for written materials and for "formal," "official," or religious situations. Although many Moroccans don't use Modern Standard Arabic when speaking, most understand it well when listening and reading, and often assume that you do too as a foreigner. I believe and can see that going through this process of learning all of the grammar rules, common uses, and expanded vocabulary of Modern Standard Arabic is helping me break through that cultural barrier of assumed knowledge to process the linguistic world around me more similarly to how my Moroccan friends and colleagues do. Learning Modern Standard Arabic is also giving me a huge shared experience with Moroccans, who have had to learn the rules and vocabulary in school as distinct from their home dialect. Formal registers of speech are commonly woven into daily conversations and situations through jokes and sarcastic comments in the same way that Shakespearean English is used by native English speakers. It's fun to be able to join into these types of interactions, even if I don't always laugh at the right time!” —Jeff

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