What does it mean word for word?
قهوة is the same root used across Arabic dialects and Standard Arabic for coffee, the origin of the English word 'coffee' itself.
Which one should you use?
There is one everyday word for coffee in Darija. Specific drinks are named by adding words, such as قهوة كحلة, black coffee, or قهوة بالحليب, coffee with milk.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
قهوة is used at every level of speech, from ordering at a café to talking about coffee at home.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Moroccans keep the ق sound as a clear q, unlike some other Arabic dialects, such as Egyptian, which often turn it into a glottal stop.
How does it change in a sentence?
قهوة combines with descriptive words placed after it, such as قهوة مزيانة, 'good coffee'.
How do you pronounce it?
The q is pronounced deep in the throat in Moroccan Darija, kept distinct from a k sound.
When do people say it?
The Moroccan café, القهوة, is a central part of daily social life, especially for men meeting in the morning or evening to talk over a cup.
Did you know?
- English 'coffee' traces back through Turkish and Arabic to the same root as قهوة.
- Moroccan cafés traditionally fill with men sitting for long stretches over a single cup, watching the street or talking, a daily social ritual.
Examples in context
- بغيت قهوة كحلة من فضلك.bghit qahwa khela min fadlek.I want black coffee please.
- نمشيو للقهوة من بعد؟nemshiw l lqahwa men ba3d?Shall we go to the café later?
- القهوة ديال هاد المحل بنينة.lqahwa dyal had lmahall bnina.This place's coffee is delicious.
Example conversation
Two friends, Hicham and Nabil, meet at a café in Rabat in the morning.
- Hichamصباح الخير، بغيتي قهوة؟sbah lkhir, bghiti qahwa?Good morning, do you want coffee?
- Nabilواخا، بغيت قهوة بالحليب.wakha, bghit qahwa b lhlib.Yes, I want coffee with milk.
- Hichamواخا، دابا نطلبو.wakha, daba ntlbu.Okay, let's order now.
- Nabilشكرا بزاف.shukran bzzaf.Thank you very much.
