Ways to say it
| Moroccan Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| عاون | 'awen | |
| عاوني | 'awni | help me! |
عاوني is the direct cry for help, used for anything from carrying a heavy bag to a real emergency, as in عاوني من فضلك, 'help me please'.
What does it mean word for word?
عاون comes from the root for assistance shared across Arabic dialects, and the ending ني adds 'me' to the verb.
Which one should you use?
عاوني asks for help right now, addressed to one person. The plural عاونوني ('awnuni) is used to ask a group for help.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
عاوني is used in every register, from a casual request to a genuine call for emergency help.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word is used the same way across Morocco.
How does it change in a sentence?
عاون changes with who is helping whom: عاونتو ('awentu), 'I helped him', and عاونتني ('awentni), 'you helped me'.
How do you pronounce it?
The first sound is the Arabic letter ع, a deep sound made at the back of the throat, before 'awni.
What mistakes should you avoid?
In a real emergency, shouting only ساعدوني, the Standard Arabic word, works too since it is widely understood, but عاوني is the natural Darija cry that Moroccans use first.
When do people say it?
Shouting عاوني in a crowded Moroccan street, such as a souk, usually draws quick attention from nearby shopkeepers and passers-by.
Did you know?
- The root behind عاون also gives Standard Arabic تعاون, 'cooperation', so help and teamwork share the same core idea in Arabic.
- Shouting عاوني in a busy Moroccan souk usually brings quick help from several nearby shopkeepers, not only the person you addressed.
Examples in context
- عاوني نحمل هاد الشكارة.awni nhmel had shkara.Help me carry this bag.
- عاوني! وقع واحد فالزنقة!awni! wqe3 wahed f zzenqa!Help! Someone fell in the street!
- واش تقدر تعاوني شوية؟wash tqder t3awni shwiya?Can you help me a little?
Example conversation
Meryem asks her neighbour Jamal to help her move a heavy table.
- Meryemواش ممكن تعاوني نحركو هاد الطابلة؟wash mumkin t3awni nharrku had ttabla?Can you help me move this table?
- Jamalواخا، غادي نجي دابا.wakha, ghadi nji daba.Okay, I'm coming now.
- Meryemشكرا بزاف على المساعدة.shukran bzzaf 3la lmusa3ada.Thank you very much for the help.
- Jamalبلا جميل، هادشي عادي.bla jmil, hadshi 3adi.You're welcome, it's nothing.
