Fes runs on Darija (Moroccan Arabic) in the medina and French in business and signage — plus Classical Arabic, the language of the Kairaouine's scholarship, and Tamazight in the surrounding countryside. A handful of phrases opens doors in the souks that money alone cannot.
In this guide
Greetings and basics
Greetings matter enormously in Fes, a famously courteous and traditional city. Opening an interaction with the right words signals respect and almost always produces a warmer response from a shopkeeper or artisan. Darija greetings are similar to Modern Standard Arabic but with a distinctly Moroccan accent — the 'q' often becomes a glottal stop, and vowels are compressed. Don't worry about perfection; the attempt is what counts.
- Salam / Salam alaykum — Hello / Peace be upon you (standard greeting)
- Wa alaykum salam — And upon you peace (response)
- Labas? / Labas, hamdullah — How are you? / Fine, praise God
- Shukran — Thank you
- La shukran — No, thank you (essential for polite refusals)
- Smah liya — Excuse me / I'm sorry
- Bslama — Goodbye
- Wakha — OK / Alright
Numbers and money
Numbers in Moroccan Arabic (Darija) follow a familiar pattern from Modern Standard Arabic. For market haggling and taxi fares, these are the most useful:
- Wahed, jouj, tlata, rba, khamsa — 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- Stta, sba, tmanya, tsa'oud, a'shra — 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
- A'shr-in, tlat-in — 20, 30 (and so on by tens)
- Miya — 100 | Alf — 1,000
- Bshhal? — How much?
- Ghali bzzaf — Too expensive
- Khfef shwiya — A little cheaper
- Mashi mushkil — No problem
French essentials
French is the language of menus, hotels, road signs and business in Morocco — a legacy of the French Protectorate (1912–1956) that remains deeply embedded. In Fes, especially in the Ville Nouvelle and with riad owners and guides, even basic French dramatically expands what you can communicate.
- Bonjour / Bonsoir — Good day / Good evening
- S'il vous plaît / Merci — Please / Thank you
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please
- Où est...? — Where is...?
- Je voudrais... — I would like...
- Combien ça coûte? — How much does it cost?
- C'est trop cher — It's too expensive
- Parlez-vous anglais? — Do you speak English?
Pronunciation notes and haggling
Darija compresses vowels significantly compared with Modern Standard Arabic — 'drari' (children) sounds almost like a single syllable. The letters 'gh' (غ) and 'kh' (خ) are guttural sounds not in English: 'gh' resembles a soft French 'r'; 'kh' resembles the 'ch' in 'loch'. Neither is difficult with a little practice.
For haggling in the Fes leather, brass and zellige souks, the ritual is friendly and expected, usually over a glass of mint tea. Open in French or Darija, ask 'bshhal?' (how much?), respond to the price with a wince and 'ghali bzzaf' (too expensive), offer roughly 40–60% of the opening price, and negotiate from there. A smile and good humour throughout make the exchange enjoyable for both sides. Walking slowly toward the next stall often produces the final best price.
Frequently asked
Do people in Morocco speak English?
In Fes riads, hotels and with licensed guides — yes, often quite well, and younger Fassis increasingly speak English. In the Fes el-Bali souks, French and Darija dominate; in the surrounding countryside, Darija or Tamazight with limited French. A few phrases in either language go a very long way.
What language is spoken in Morocco?
Morocco's official languages are Classical Arabic and Amazigh (Tamazight). Darija (Moroccan Arabic) is the everyday spoken tongue for most Moroccans. French is widely used in business, education and signage. Spanish is spoken in the north (Tangier, Tétouan, Nador). In practice, French and Darija cover most travel situations.
Is Moroccan Arabic the same as Egyptian or Lebanese Arabic?
Darija is a distinct dialect with significant Amazigh, French and Spanish influences. It is notably different from Egyptian, Levantine or Gulf dialects — speakers of those dialects often find Darija difficult to understand. Modern Standard Arabic (the written, formal register) is understood but not spoken conversationally.
How do you say 'thank you' in Moroccan Arabic?
'Shukran' (شكراً) — borrowed directly from Modern Standard Arabic and universally understood. The purely Darija equivalent is 'baraka llahu fik' (God bless you), which you'll hear in response to a compliment or act of generosity.
Do I need French to travel in Morocco?
Not strictly — the main Fes riads and sights run well in English. But French opens far more of the city: menus at local restaurants, conversations with riad owners and artisans, directions through the medina, taxi negotiations and everything off the tourist trail. Even a few phrases make a disproportionate difference.
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Culture
Morocco Etiquette & Customs
A little cultural awareness goes a long way in Fes, one of Morocco's most traditional and spiritual cities. Dress modestly, greet warmly, ask before photographing people, use your right hand, and embrace the unhurried pace of mint tea and conversation in the medina.
Culture
Moroccan Food & Drink
Fes is widely considered the culinary capital of Morocco — the refined home of pastilla, slow-cooked tagines, couscous Fridays and a deep repertoire of medina street food, all washed down with the endless ritual of sweet mint tea.
Practical
Getting Around Morocco
Fes sits squarely on Morocco's best rail line, so trains link it easily to Meknes, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech and Tangier. For Chefchaouen, Volubilis, the Middle Atlas and the desert, you'll want a private driver. The right mix depends on your route and pace.