Ways to say it
| Moroccan Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| لاباس | labas | |
| مزيان | mezyan | informal |
| بخير | bikhir | more formal |
لاباس answers the standard greeting question and works on its own. Moroccans also say مزيان (mezyan) for 'good' or 'well', and the more formal بخير (bikhir), closer to Standard Arabic.
What does it mean word for word?
لاباس joins لا, 'no', and باس, 'harm', so literally it means 'no harm', the Darija way of saying things are fine. مزيان is an adjective that also means 'nice' or 'proper'.
Which one should you use?
لاباس is the natural reply to 'how are you' and fits every situation. مزيان describes something as good, so Moroccans also use it to answer 'how are you' the way English speakers say 'good'. بخير sounds a touch more formal.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
All three are polite. لاباس is the most natural and casual choice with family, friends and strangers alike.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word is used the same way across Morocco. Algerians and Tunisians also say لاباس, though with slightly different vowels.
How does it change in a sentence?
مزيان changes with gender: a woman says مزيانة (mezyana) about herself. لاباس does not change.
How do you pronounce it?
The stress in لاباس falls on the second syllable, 'la-BAS', with a long a sound.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Standard Arabic أنا بخير (ana bikhayr) is understood but sounds bookish. In daily Darija conversation, لاباس alone is the natural answer.
When do people say it?
Moroccans often repeat the blessing back: after لاباس؟ (labas?, are you fine?), the answer لاباس، الحمد لله (labas, l-hamdulillah) adds thanks to God, even in casual chat.
Did you know?
- لاباس is used both as the question 'are you okay' and the answer 'I am okay', so the same word travels in both directions of a conversation.
- Adding الحمد لله after good news is common across Darija, even among speakers who are not especially religious.
Examples in context
- كي داير؟ لاباس ومزيان.kidayer? labas w mezyan.How are you? I am fine and good.
- صحتي بخير هاد الأيام.sahti bikhir had l-ayyam.My health is good these days.
Example conversation
Nadia asks her classmate Omar how he is doing after an exam.
- Nadiaكي داير مع الامتحان؟kidayer m3a l-imtihan?How did it go with the exam?
- Omarلاباس، الحمد لله.labas, l-hamdulillah.I am good, thank God.
- Nadiaفرحانة بيك.ferhana bik.I am happy for you.
- Omarشكرا، وانتي؟shukran, w nti?Thanks, and you?
