What language is spoken in Marrakech? Day to day, the main language in Marrakech is Moroccan Arabic, called Darija. Many residents also speak Tamazight (the Amazigh or Berber language, mainly the Tashelhit variety in and around Marrakech). Morocco’s two official languages are Arabic and Amazigh. French is widely used on signs, menus, in business and by most educated Moroccans, and English is common in hotels, riads, restaurants and among younger people working in tourism. You can travel comfortably in Marrakech with English and a few words of Darija.
Our team in Marrakech is Amazigh and switches between Tamazight, Darija, French, Spanish and English every day with guests. Here is how the languages of Marrakech actually work, and the handful of phrases that will make locals smile.
Languages in Marrakech at a glance
| Language | Where you will hear or see it |
|---|---|
| Darija (Moroccan Arabic) | Everywhere: souks, taxis, homes, markets |
| Tamazight (Tashelhit) | Many families from the Atlas and the south; villages around Marrakech |
| Modern Standard Arabic | Official documents, news, religious life, road signs |
| French | Menus, shop signs, business, museums, many conversations in Gueliz |
| English | Hotels, riads, restaurants, guides, younger people |
| Spanish | Some guides and shopkeepers; more common in northern Morocco |
Is Arabic the main language in Marrakech?
Yes, but not the Arabic you may have learned in a classroom. Darija is the everyday spoken language of Morocco. It grew from Arabic but mixes in many Amazigh, French and Spanish words, and its pronunciation and grammar are quite different. A speaker of Egyptian or Gulf Arabic will often find Darija hard to follow at first, while Moroccans understand Standard Arabic from school, television and religious life.
Do people in Marrakech speak Berber (Tamazight)?
Many do. The Amazigh are the original people of North Africa, and Marrakech was founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids, an Amazigh dynasty. The variety spoken in the High Atlas, the Souss and around Marrakech is called Tashelhit. Since Morocco’s 2011 constitution, Amazigh has been an official language alongside Arabic, and you will see its alphabet, Tifinagh, on public buildings and road signs next to Arabic and French.
When you travel from Marrakech into the Atlas Mountains or toward the Sahara, Tamazight becomes the main language in many villages. Greeting someone with Azul (hello) is a lovely surprise for your hosts.
Is French widely spoken in Marrakech?
Yes. French remains part of Moroccan education, administration and business, a legacy of the French protectorate (1912-1956). Menus, museum labels, pharmacy signs and train information are often in Arabic and French. If you speak some French, you will find it very useful in Marrakech, especially in the Gueliz district, at banks and with taxi drivers.
Can you get by with English in Marrakech?
Yes. Staff in hotels and riads, restaurant waiters, licensed guides, drivers and most shopkeepers in the medina speak enough English for travel needs, and English is spreading fast among young Moroccans. You may find less English with petit taxi drivers, in small local cafés and in rural villages. A translation app with offline French and Arabic downloaded is a useful backup.
Useful Darija phrases for Marrakech
| English | Darija (approx. pronunciation) |
|---|---|
| Hello / peace be upon you | Salam alaikum |
| Reply to hello | Wa alaikum salam |
| How are you? / I am fine | Labas? / Labas, hamdulillah |
| Thank you | Shukran |
| No, thank you | La, shukran |
| Yes / OK | Iyyeh / Wakha |
| How much is it? | Bshhal? |
| Too expensive | Ghali bzaf |
| Excuse me / sorry | Smhli |
| Goodbye | Bslama |
| God willing | Inshallah |
A few words of Tamazight
- Azul: hello
- Tanmirt: thank you
- Amazigh: the name the people use for themselves, often translated as “free people”
Local tip: “La, shukran” said with a smile is the most useful phrase in the medina. It politely declines offers from shopkeepers and unofficial guides without any awkwardness.
Which language in Marrakech, situation by situation
| Situation | Language you will usually hear |
|---|---|
| Souks and street stalls | Darija first; many sellers switch to French, English or Spanish |
| Riads and hotels | French and English at reception; Darija among staff |
| Petit taxis | Darija and French; English is less common |
| Museums and monuments | Signs in Arabic and French, often with English |
| Atlas Mountain villages | Tamazight at home, Darija with visitors |
Numbers are the most useful thing to learn for shopping and taxis. In Darija, one to ten is: wahed, jouj, tlata, rbaa, khamsa, setta, sebaa, tmenya, tesaa, achra. Hearing a price in Darija and answering with a number of your own is a friendly way to start bargaining, even if you switch to French or English afterwards.
Language in Marrakech: etiquette tips
- Always start with a greeting before asking a question or a price; it changes the whole conversation.
- “Inshallah” is used constantly and sincerely; it does not mean no.
- When bargaining, a few Darija words usually bring a friendlier first price.
- Ask before photographing people, even in your own language; a smile and a gesture are understood everywhere.
For more practical advice, read our guides to visiting Morocco for the first time, the 21 best things to do in Marrakech and Morocco travel for women. The official Visit Morocco website also has useful background on Moroccan culture.
Travel with a local, multilingual team
Language is never a barrier when you travel with a local driver-guide who can translate in the souks, at family lunches in Atlas villages and around the fire in a desert camp. Explore our private tours from Marrakech or contact our team to plan your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main language in Marrakech?
The main everyday language in Marrakech is Darija, or Moroccan Arabic. Many people also speak Tamazight, the Amazigh language, and French is widely used in business and on signs. English is common in tourism.
Do they speak English in Marrakech?
Yes, in most places travelers go. Hotel and riad staff, guides, drivers, restaurant staff and many shopkeepers speak English. It is less common with some taxi drivers and in rural villages, where French or a few Darija words help.
What are the official languages of Morocco?
Morocco’s official languages are Arabic and Amazigh (Tamazight). Amazigh became official in the 2011 constitution. French is not official but is widely used in administration, business and education.
How do you say thank you in Marrakech?
In Darija, thank you is shukran. In Tamazight, it is tanmirt. To politely decline an offer in the souk, say la, shukran, which means no, thank you.
Is Moroccan Arabic the same as Standard Arabic?
No. Darija is based on Arabic but includes many Amazigh, French and Spanish words, with different pronunciation and grammar. Moroccans understand Standard Arabic, but speakers from other Arab countries often find Darija difficult at first.