Curse words, also known as swear words, bad words, or insults, are considered taboo when teaching and learning Arabic for most people. However, if you plan to study Arabic to speak with native speakers, then you better learn strong words.
Teachers will definitely cringe at the thought of their students learning Arabic curse words. For a word to qualify as a swear word it must have the potential to offend, crossing a cultural line into taboo territory. On this page you will discover why you need at least to understand curse words, you will boost your comprehension skills by learning the power of swear words!
Native speakers won’t always use formal expressions, otherwise, it would be difficult to establish a real connection. When breaking the ice, it’s not uncommon to joke around or even use curse words for a reason or another. So it is best to at least learn some curse words and expressions if you plan to make friends, to catch everything during small talks.
If you turn on any popular Arabic TV show you are quickly going to see the value of learning curse words. Just like everyday conversations, Arabic culture is filled with curse words or expressions. Without some knowledge, popular culture and informal conversation can be quite confusing. Identifying Arabic curse words will help you improve your comprehension, give you a better understanding of people and culture.
However, using those vulgar words can make you look like a fool, uneducated and disrespectful. You need to pay attention to understand the context and the cultural sensitivity to use them with caution if you ever decide to use them! Never forget to be responsible and feel the emotion behind the words and how they affect others. I am sure you don’t want Arabic people not only to take you for a creep but also to hate you. Right?
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How to Curse in Arabic: Curse Words in Arab Culture
Basic Moroccan Arabic Words and Phrases
For your everyday conversations, we have compiled for you a list of 50 basic words and phrases in Moroccan Arabic. You basically need to learn these words and phrases by heart to acquire a first baggage in Darija.
On this page, you will learn how to say words like “yes”, “no”, “thanks”, and “please” in Moroccan Arabic. You will also learn a few phrases to ask for help, or signal that you do not understand something in Darija.
Looking to learn Darija online? Two really popular Moroccan Arabic resources I recommend are Talk In Arabic and ArabicPod101.
50 Basic Words and Phrases in Moroccan Arabic
Here's a table with some essential Moroccan Arabic words and phrases to get you started:
| English | Transcribed Moroccan Arabic | Moroccan Darija in the Arabic Alphabet |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Iyyeh / ah / wah | إييه/ آه/واه |
| No | Lla | لا |
| Please (addressing a singular) | 3afak | عافاك |
| Thanks | Shokran | شكرا |
| I love you (addressing a singular) | Kanbghik | كنبغيك |
| I miss you (addressing a singular) | Twe77eshtek | توحشتك |
| A lot | Bezzaf | بزاف |
| A little | Shwiya | شوية |
| Okay | Wakha | واخا |
| Now | Daba | دابا |
| Not now | Mashi daba | ماشي دابا |
| Or | Awla | أولا |
| And | W | و |
| It’s not a problem / It’s okay | Mashi moshkil | ماشي مشكل |
| (It was) not me | Mashi ana | ماشي أنا |
| I want… | Bghit… | بغيت… |
| I don’t want... | Ma bghitsh... | ...ما بغيتش |
| I am done / I finished | Salit | ساليت |
| I am not done / I did not finish | Ma salitsh | ما ساليتش |
| Beautiful (masculine, singular) | Zwin | زوين |
| Bad/ugly (masculine, singular) | Khayb | خايب |
| Good (masculine, singular) | Mezyan | مزيان |
| Excuse me | Sme7 lia (addressing a male) Sem7i lia (addressing a female) | سمح ليا سمحلي ليا |
| I don’t speak Arabic | Ma kanhdersh l3erbia | ما كنهضرش العربية |
| I don’t understand/I didn’t understand | Ma fhemtsh | ما فهمتش |
| Do you understand me? (Addressing a singular) | Fhemtini? | فهمتيني؟ |
| I don’t have any money | Ma 3endish leflouss | ما عنديش الفلوس |
| Welcome | Mer7ba | مرحبا |
| Take (this) | Hak (addressing a male) Haki (addressing a female) | هاك هاكي |
| Give me… (Addressing a singular) | 3tini… | عطيني… |
| I know | 3reft | عرفت |
| I don’t know | Ma 3reftsh | ما عرفتش |
| I forgot | Nsit | نسيت |
| I have to go | Khasni nemshi | خاصني نمشي |
| It’s your turn (Addressing a singular) | Noubtek | نوبتك |
| It’s my turn | Noubti | نوبتي |
| I am tired | 3yit | عييت |
| Where is the W.C? | Fin kayna twalit? | فين كاينة الطواليت؟ |
| Congratulations | Mebrouk | مبروك |
| Can you help me? | Tqdr t3awenni? (addressing a male) Tqdri t3awenini? (addressing a female) | تقدر تعاوني؟ تقدري تعاونيني؟ |
| I am looking for… | Kanqelleb 3la... | كنقلب على... |
| I can’t find/I didn’t find | Ma lqitsh... | ما لقيتش… |
| Agreed/Enough | Safi | صافي |
| Slowly | Beshwia | بشوية |
| Faster | Bezzerba | بالزربة |
| Maybe | Imken | إيمكن |
| Of course | Tab3an / Akid | طبعا / أكيد |
| I have a problem. | 3endi moshkila | عندي مشكلة |
| What do you think? (Addressing a singular) | Ashno ban lik? | أشنو بان ليك؟ |
| What did you say? (Addressing a singular) | Ashno guelti? | أشنو ݣلتي؟ |
As language instructors, we don’t promote the use of offensive language. However, it’s important to recognize that curse words are a part of every language, and it’s essential to understand them.
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Common Arabic Swear Words and Their Meanings
The Arabic language can be extremely colorful and lively, which has led to some beautiful poetry, novels, and storytelling. But with the growth of elegant literature comes the rise of a much-loved and hilarious area of swear words and phrases. Arabic phrases are some of the most colorful and seemingly untraceable ways to insult someone or something.
In Arabic, some curse words are considered “polite” or, at least, less offensive than others. Is your friend being a bit over the top? Calling someone a hayawan in Arabic is like calling them an animal or a brute in English. Curse words in Arabic tend to use metaphors and euphemisms. But not always! Calling someone Ahbi is like calling them stupid in English. Curse words in Arabic rarely get more elegant than this one.
Here are some common Arabic swear words and phrases, along with their meanings and usage:
- Chelb: One of the most well-known insults, this simply means “dog”. However, for Arabs this is one of the most insulting things to call a person, and you’ll most likely witness a fight if someone is indeed called a “chelb” to their face.
- Ibn al Kalb: Meaning “son of a dog”, this is similar to calling someone a dog except that now you’ve also insulted the family as well. Let’s just say if there is anything worse than calling someone a dog, this is it.
- Hemar: Another insult that is simply the name of an animal, this one means “donkey”, or “ass”. English also has a similar insult, and this swear word is used to call someone stupid or incompetent at something.
- Allah Yakhthek: This phrase means “May God take your soul”, which basically means they hope that person dies then and there. While it may sound like a peaceful thing to say when someone is about to actually die, this insult is quite hilarious because of its dry and sarcastic undertones.
- Ya Gazma: Most commonly used in the Egyptian dialect but understood everywhere, this is simply calling someone a shoe. For Arabs, nothing can be more degrading than the bottom of a dirty shoe, and you’ll hear lots of “ya gazma” during heated arguments or fights.
- Kol Khara: Literally meaning to “eat shit” but meaning also to “shut up”, this phrase is commonly used to try to tell someone to stop nagging or being annoying. By telling someone to “eat it”, they are essentially telling someone they would rather see their mouth full of crap than to hear another word out of them!
- Ya Khara: Another swear word revolving around the word “shit”, this word is basically calling someone “my piece of shit”. This word is both funny and degrading, with a lot of young Arabs using it throughout a jokey conversation.
- Gawad: This word is used to insult men, and it basically means that someone is a “pimp”. It doesn’t matter what the argument is about, when someone calls you a pimp in Arabic it’s one of the most insulting things to be called.
- Tah-hathek: Basically meaning “may all of your luck be taken away”, this is another funny phrase that mainly older men use in Iraqi Arabic, but is understood almost everywhere else. This phrase is used in mainly passive aggressive situations, when instead of arguing back or dealing with someone annoying, you simply wish for all of their luck to be gone.
- Tozz Feek: Literally meaning “screw you”, this is a strong Arabic swear word that gets straight to the point. While it may not be as commonly used as some other swear words because of how vulgar it sounds, this is still one of those Arabic words that are extremely graphic and used only by those most hot-headed.
- Telhas Teeze: The English translation essentially meaning “kiss my ass”, this word is used in almost the same context as the English one; when you don’t care what the other person thinks of you and you want to tell them to go away. This word is a bit more vulgar in Arabic because of how graphic it can get, so it isn’t as commonly used, although when it is, it gets straight to the point.
- El’an Abook: This phrase means “may your father be cursed”, and is probably one of the most insulting ways to get someone into a fight. As the father is usually the breadwinner in a traditional Arab family, by cursing the father you are basically dooming the entire family… nice insult, right?
- Abu Reiha: Literally meaning “the father of stinky smells”, this is an insult that means someone smells (or is acting) nasty. Arabs, who love all things perfumed and incensed, like to insult each other by one of the worst claims: that you smell bad! Make sure your scent is on point before insulting someone else on theirs.
Now, let’s move on to some of the stronger curse words in Arabic. One of the most offensive curse words in Arabic is “Kalb,” which means “Dog.” It’s a derogatory term used to insult someone’s character or intelligence. Not enough for you? All right. Used to insult someone’s character or intelligence.
This is the phrase you would use if someone keeps talking about silly or boring things. Are you looking for strong curse words in Arabic? Look no further. Curse words in Arabic can be polite, strong, or downright dramatic!
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Finally, let’s take a look at some of the funnier curse words in Arabic. Another funny curse word in Arabic is “Mafi mushkila,” which means “No problem.” It’s often used sarcastically to express frustration when there is, in fact, a problem.
Are you ready to delve into the rich world of Arabic insults? This catchphrase is used to express mild frustration or annoyance at a minor inconvenience. Have you dropped coffee on your shirt? A little bit! Have you gotten lost in the desert? A little bit! If you’ve ever asked your partner whether everything was fine and they said “Yes” while giving you the coldest look on Earth, you know why this is a funny curse word in Arabic.
If you want to degrade someone in a funny way, this is the curse word to use. As funny as it is degrading, this curse word is used to express extreme contempt.
Would you like to understand how Arabic swear words are used in context? If you plan on learning Arabic this year, you may want to familiarize yourself with the most common Arabic swear words. As expected, it's one of the first things that new Arabic language learners seek out when they're getting started.
Yes, it's a good tool belt to have at your disposal just in case there are other people who use it against you. Of course, we hope that the swear words we share today won't be used to harm others!
Let's get started, shall we?
8 Arabic Swear Words That You Need to Know Today
- العمى (al'ama): Literally means 'blindness'. It's used similarly to the way we say 'damn' in English.
- Tozz Feek: This is how you tell someone to screw off or go away if you're feeling angered or annoyed by their presence.
- Kol Khara: Eat shit.
- Ya Ibn el Sharmouta (YA EBEN AL SHAR-MOO-TA): Also known as: 'son of a b*tch!'
- Telhas Teeze (TEL-HAS TEE-ZEE): This is the common equivalent of “kiss my ass.” This literally means “lick my ass,” and is also used between friends or when someone is trying to mock or belittle another person in the group. We're getting pretty offensive now...
- Ayreh Feek (AY-REE FEE-K): This is the common equivalent of “f*ck you” or “screw you.” This is a common expression between friends or prior to a gruesome fistfight. This literally means “my penis in you.”
- Ya Shar-Moo-Ta: In short? It means 'you b*tch'.
- Kess Ommak (KISS OM-MAK): Perhaps the most insulting Arabic swear word of all on this list. This means: your mom's vag*na.
This is a never-ending list, but we decided to cap it at 8 to give you a starting point to work with.
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tags: #Moroccan
