The days of the week and the months in Moroccan Darija
Whether you’re scheduling an appointment, talking about your birthday, or planning a trip, knowing how to express dates and time in Moroccan Arabic will help you communicate with ease and confidence.
The Days of the Week in Moroccan Darija
The days of the week in Darija follow a logical pattern rooted in numbers and Arabic structure, making them relatively easy to remember once you know the system. Most day names are derived from Arabic numbers, starting from Monday.
| English | Darija Pronunciation | Meaning (Literal Translation) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Tnîn | Two |
| Tuesday | Tlat | Three |
| Wednesday | Larbâ | Four |
| Thursday | Lkhmiss | Five |
| Friday | Jmâa | Gathering / Friday |
| Saturday | Sbt | Sabbath |
| Sunday | Lhad | One |
Examples in Context
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Lyoum lkhmiss. — Today is Thursday.
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Ghadi nmsi nhar tlat. — I will go on Tuesday.
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Ch7al f nhar lhad? — What’s the date on Sunday?
The prefix “nhar” is often used before the day to say “on [that] day” (e.g., nhar jmaa = on Friday).
The Months of the Year in Moroccan Darija
There are two ways to express months in Moroccan Darija: using the French-derived names (most common in everyday speech) and the Arabic-derived names (used in formal or religious contexts). For most learners, focusing on the French-influenced months will be the most practical and natural.
Standard Months in Darija (French-Based)
| English Month | Moroccan Darija (Common) |
|---|---|
| January | Yanayr |
| February | Fibrayr |
| March | Mars |
| April | Abril |
| May | May |
| June | Yunyoo |
| July | Yulyooz |
| August | Ghusht |
| September | Shutanbir |
| October | Oktoubar |
| November | Nuwanbir |
| December | Dujanbir |
These names are adapted phonetically from French and slightly Moroccanized in pronunciation.
Using Months in Sentences
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Ana tzdt f Yanayr. — I was born in January.
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L3tla ghadi tkoun f Ghusht. — The vacation will be in August.
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L3id f Dujanbir had sana. — The holiday is in December this year.
You can also say:
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Chhar … — The month of …
Example:
Chhar Mars — The month of March
Talking About Dates in Darija
When talking about specific dates, the typical structure is:
-
Nhar [day] f [date] chhar [month]
On [day] the [date] of [month]
Example:
-
Nhar lhad f 15 chhar Abril — On Sunday the 15th of April
To say a full date, you can include the year:
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Nhar jmaa f 1 chhar Yulyooz 2024 — On Friday, July 1st, 2024
Asking and Telling the Date in Darija
These everyday phrases are essential for basic conversations:
| English | Darija Phrase |
|---|---|
| What day is today? | Chnou nhar lyom? |
| What month are we in? | F ay chhar 7na daba? |
| Today is Monday. | Lyoum tnîn. |
| We are in September. | 7na f chhar Shutanbir. |
| My birthday is in May. | 3id miladi f chhar May. |
These questions and answers can be used in conversations, school, work, or daily interactions across Morocco.
Related Vocabulary and Expressions
Enhancing your vocabulary will give you flexibility when talking about time. Here are some related terms:
| English | Darija |
|---|---|
| Day | Nhar |
| Week | Simana |
| Month | Chhar |
| Year | 3am |
| Weekend | Nhar sbt w nhar lhad |
| Next month | Chhar jayy |
| Last year | L3am li fat |
Example Sentences
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Simana jaya ghadi nmshi lmdina. — Next week I’m going to the city.
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Chhar li fat kan 3ndi l3tla. — Last month I had vacation.
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3am jdida mabrouka! — Happy New Year!
Learn More Darija and Expand Your Vocabulary
Once you know how to talk about time and dates, you’ll find it easier to schedule meetings, plan holidays, and talk about life events in Darija. Continue your language journey with these related resources:
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Learn how to say happy birthday in Moroccan Darija and celebrate with locals.
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Discover expressions of affection in I love you in Darija.
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Dive into artistic language with 5 love poems in Moroccan Darija.
Need help translating or confirming words? Use our English–Moroccan Arabic translation dictionary to explore thousands of practical entries with accurate translations and usage examples.
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