Darija is a language that uses a lot of phrases. In my journey I’ve found that just learning vocabulary and sentence structure isn’t enough. Learning the Moroccan proverbs are just as important. Without learning the phrases some sentences just wont make sense. For example the phrase ‘3la ras w l3yn’ means ‘my pleasure’ but if you were to translate it literally it would mean ‘On the head and the eyes’. I’m finding more and more everyday that learning about the culture really helps to understand the Moroccan proverbs and even some of the words. Here are some old proverbs that will demonstrate these phrases in action. Mind you these are old outdated phrases. I’m not even sure if some people know of these Moroccan proverbs in this day and age.
Moroccan Proverbs
Lmra ghir mra ma hiya lshams w l9mra – The woman is only a woman she is not the sun or the moon.
Lau kant lmrat lab 7biba 7tta laf3a tkun tbiba – If the step mother were your love then the snake would be a healer.
Lli ma3ndu mou la9bar yghamou – He who does not have a mother it is as if he is dead.
htta mash ma hrab mn dar larse – you cannot flee from a house where a wedding party is held.
laban w zibda kanu khwatat mafer9ouhun ghir la3yalat – milk and butter were sisters and women separated them.
ma hddeha tkaki w hiya tzid f lbid – As she cackles she lays eggs.
kul khnfoussa 3nd ymaha ghazella – Every beetle is a gazelle to her mother.
lli ma 3ndu sidu 3ndu lala – who does not have a Mr. has a Miss.
Lli ma9derat tkun njma fssana tkun shmea f dar – A woman who could not be a star in the sky can be a candle at home.
Want to learn more? Join the Discord server https://discord.gg/QC4w5NCtM4
haha these are great thanks for sharing, much appreciated Hamza