What Language Is Spoken in Morocco? Darija, Amazigh, French and More

What language is spoken in Morocco? The short answer is Arabic, but the real answer is much richer. On the same street you can hear Moroccan Arabic, an Amazigh language, French and sometimes Spanish or English, often mixed in one sentence. This guide explains every language spoken in Morocco, where you will hear each one, what visitors can get by with, and a few words that will make people smile. Our family is from Merzouga, and we switch between these languages every day.

What language is spoken in Morocco?

Morocco has two official languages: Arabic and Amazigh, also known as Berber. According to Wikipedia, Amazigh became official in the 2011 Constitution, and a 2019 law set out how to put that into practice. In daily life, though, the main language spoken in Morocco is Darija, the Moroccan form of Arabic. French is widely used in business and education, Spanish is heard in the north, and English is growing fast among young people.

The 2024 census gives a clear picture. About 92.7% of the population speaks Arabic, and 80.6% call it their native language. Around 24.8% speak an Amazigh language, and 18.9% consider it their mother tongue. Many Moroccans speak two, three or even four languages.

Darija: the everyday language spoken in Morocco

Darija means everyday or colloquial language. It is the Arabic you hear at home, in the souks, in taxis and in cafes. It shares much of its vocabulary with Modern Standard Arabic, but it also borrows words from Amazigh, French and Spanish. An Arabic speaker from the Middle East may need time to follow it. Darija is mostly spoken, not written, while Modern Standard Arabic is used for the news, official documents and religion.

A few words of Darija go a long way. Start with salam (hello), shukran (thank you) and bslama (goodbye). Our guide to Darija phrases has the most useful ones for travelers.

Amazigh: the indigenous language spoken in Morocco

Amazigh languages were spoken in North Africa long before Arabic arrived. Today, Amazigh is still a language spoken in Morocco by millions of people, in three main varieties:

• Tashelhit, the most widely spoken, in the Souss region and parts of the High Atlas
• Central Atlas Tamazight, in the Middle Atlas and the High Atlas
• Tarifit, in the Rif mountains of the north

Standard Moroccan Tamazight is written in its own alphabet, Tifinagh. You will see its geometric letters on road signs and public buildings, next to Arabic and often French. In the 2024 census, only 1.5% of the population could read and write Tifinagh. In the mountains and the desert, Amazigh is the language of home, family and song. Read about a day in the life of a Berber nomad.

Hassaniya in the far south

In the far south, a small part of the population speaks Hassaniya, a form of Arabic shared with Mauritania. The census puts it at about 0.8% of the population.

French: the second language spoken in Morocco

French is the language of business, banking, universities and many official forms. Menus, shop signs and road signs often appear in French. In the 2024 census, 57.7% of Moroccans could read and write French. If you speak some French, you will find it very useful in the cities, at hotels and at train stations.

Spanish and English in Morocco

Spanish is a language spoken in Morocco mostly in the north, around Tangier and Tetouan, a legacy of the long history with Spain. It is less common in the rest of the country. English is the language on the rise. It is taught in schools, and since 2023 it has been introduced gradually in secondary education. In the 2024 census, 20.5% of Moroccans could read and write English. Young people, hotel staff and people working in tourism usually speak it well. See our guides to things to do in Tangier and Tetouan.

Can you travel in Morocco with only English?

Yes, in most tourist places. In Marrakech, Fes, Essaouira and the big hotels, you will find people who speak English. English is not yet a common language spoken in Morocco outside tourism. In small villages, mountain areas and local markets, a few words of Darija or French help a lot. Simple tips make it easier:

• Learn a few greetings in Darija. People really appreciate the effort.
• Keep your hotel address written in Arabic or French for taxi drivers.
• Download an offline translation app before you go.
• Use numbers and a smile when you shop. Read about tipping in Morocco and Moroccan etiquette.

Our team speaks your language

We are a family team from Merzouga. Our team speaks Amazigh and Darija, and our driver-guides also speak English, Spanish and French with our guests. Each language spoken in Morocco opens a different door. On a private tour, your guide becomes your voice with the nomad families, the shopkeepers and the cooks along the way. Explore our private tours, read how booking works, or start with a night in a Sahara desert camp.

FAQ: language spoken in Morocco

What is the main language spoken in Morocco?

Darija, the Moroccan form of Arabic, is the everyday language for most people. The official languages are Arabic and Amazigh.

Is French spoken in Morocco?

Yes. French is widely used in business, education and government, and 57.7% of Moroccans can read and write it.

Is English spoken in Morocco?

Yes, more and more. People in tourism usually speak it, and English is now taught in secondary schools.

What is the Amazigh language spoken in Morocco?

Amazigh, or Berber, has three main varieties in Morocco: Tashelhit, Central Atlas Tamazight and Tarifit. It is written in the Tifinagh alphabet.

How do you say thank you in Morocco?

Shukran in Darija. In Amazigh, many people say tanmirt.