The three symbols beginners see most
| Darija Latin | Arabic script | Meaning | Usage note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3afak | عافاك | Please | 3 = ع, a voiced throat sound. |
| 7alib | حليب | Milk | 7 = ح, a strong breathy h. |
| 9hwa | قهوة | Coffee | 9 = ق, often a deep k-like sound. |
Other spellings you may encounter
| Darija Latin | Arabic script | Meaning | Usage note |
|---|---|---|---|
| kh / 5 | خ | kh sound | kh is clearer for most learners. |
| gh | غ | gh sound | — |
| sh / ch | ش | sh sound | French-influenced spelling often uses ch. |
- Do not worry about choosing the one perfect Latin spelling.
- Match spelling to audio and meaning.
- Use Arabic script when two Latin spellings become ambiguous.
Try it yourself
Read each Darija example aloud, then recall its meaning before opening the answer. Repeat without looking at the table above.
1. 3afak
عافاك
Show meaning and usage
Please
3 = ع, a voiced throat sound.
2. 7alib
حليب
Show meaning and usage
Milk
7 = ح, a strong breathy h.
3. 9hwa
قهوة
Show meaning and usage
Coffee
9 = ق, often a deep k-like sound.
Continue with related Darija guides
Use the next guides to connect this topic with vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and real conversation.
Sources and editorial note
These references offer further reading on Moroccan Arabic. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement or individual review of this guide. Spelling and pronunciation vary by region and speaker.