Tangier runs on Darija (Moroccan Arabic) in daily life, French in business and signage — and, more than anywhere else in Morocco, Spanish, a legacy of the international era and the nearby coast. A handful of phrases in any of them opens doors that money alone cannot.
In this guide
Greetings and basics
Greetings matter enormously in Tangier, a city where a single trader may answer you in Arabic, French and Spanish in one breath. Opening an interaction with the right words signals respect and almost always produces a warmer response. 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 Protectorate era (1912–1956) that remains deeply embedded. In Tangier you'll also find Spanish widely understood, a survival from the city's international zone and its closeness to Andalusia. 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 souks, the ritual is friendly and expected. 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 away — slowly — often produces the final best price.
Frequently asked
Do people in Tangier speak English?
In hotels, with guides and among younger Tangerinos — yes, often quite well. In the medina and souks, Darija, French and Spanish dominate. Given the city's history, you'll get further with a little Spanish here than almost anywhere else in Morocco. A few phrases in any of them go a long way.
What language is spoken in Tangier?
Morocco's official languages are Classical Arabic and Amazigh (Tamazight); Darija (Moroccan Arabic) is the everyday spoken tongue. French is widely used in business and signage, and Tangier is the heartland of Moroccan Spanish, a legacy of the international zone. In practice, Darija, French and Spanish cover most situations here.
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 or Spanish to travel in Tangier?
Not strictly — hotels and the main sites run well in English. But French (and in Tangier, Spanish) opens far more of the city: menus at local restaurants, conversations with hosts, directions and taxi negotiations. Even a few phrases make a disproportionate difference.
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Culture
Tangier Etiquette & Customs
A little cultural awareness goes a long way in Tangier. The city is cosmopolitan and used to visitors off the Spanish ferries, but it is still Moroccan: dress modestly in the medina, greet warmly, ask before photographing people, and embrace the unhurried pace of mint tea on a café terrace.
Culture
Moroccan Food & Drink
Tangier eats like a port that has always faced two seas. Fresh-landed fish and prawns, Andalusian-tinged dishes brought by Moriscos centuries ago, slow-cooked tagines, couscous Fridays, and the famous mint tea sipped above the Strait at Café Hafa.
Practical
Getting Around Tangier & Northern Morocco
Tangier is Morocco's northern gateway — the ferry terminals from Spain, Ibn Battouta Airport and the high-speed train all meet here. Within the city you'll walk and use petit taxis; for the Rif day trips you'll want a private driver or an intercity bus.