How to Get Around Morocco: 11 French Phrases (that work!)

As you may already know, Morocco has all kinds of French influence left in its culture. From the baguette and other breads and sweets to the architecture and cafes, Morocco holds on to more of France than outsiders might expect. Today, most everyone (in towns and cities with some villages) speaks French. If you don't have any idea about Arabic, then French is by default your next best choice. Here are some handy French words and phrases that will very much help you on your first or next trip to Morocco. [REMEMBER: (English – French Translation (no accents)- Pronunciation)]

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pen & Paper
• Able to produce some French sounds (see pronunciation at phrase ending)

1. 
    
   Dialect Map Morocco

   Money:
   
   11. How much is it (this)? - Ca fait combien? - sa fay kom byun?
   
   10. Can you write the price? - Pouvez-vous ecrire le prix? - poo vay voo aykreer ler pree?

2. Transport:
   
   9. What time does the bus leave? - A quell heure part le bus? - a kel er par ler bews?
   
   8. Which bus goes to Rabat? - Quel bus va a Rabat? - kel bews va a Rabat?

3. Social:
   
   7. How are you? - Comment allez-vous? - ko mon ta lay voo?
   
   6. What's your name? Comment vous appelez-vous? - ko mon voo zaplay voo?
   Answer: Je m'appelle _______. - zhjuh mapel ________.

4. 
    
   French Sign for Stop

   Eating:
   
   5. Can I see a menu? - Est-ce que je peux voir la carte, s'il vous plait? - esker zher per vwar la kart seel voo play?
   
   4. Do you have cheese? - Est-ce que vous avez fromage? - esker voo za vay fro maj?

5. Healthy Travel:
   
   3. Could you help me please? - Est-ce que vous pourriez m'aider, s'il vous plait? - esker voo poo ryay mayday seel voo play?
   
   2. Where's a pharmacy? - Ou y a t-il un/une pharmacie? - oo ee a teel un/ewn farma see?
   
   1. I'm allergic to _____. - Je suis allergique ________. - zher swee zalair jeek ________.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to listen to French CDs or even songs (downloadable from the internet these days) before you venture to Morocco
• Practice these phrases before you go
• Not everyone will understand French, so don't push it if they do not

Resources

• Morocco holidays
• Morocco family tour

[journeybeyond]

on 6/11/2009 Good phrases to know