Ways to say it
| Moroccan Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| كرهتك | krehtek | |
| ما نبغيكش | ma nbghikesh | softer, I don’t like you |
كرهتك is a strong, direct statement usually said in anger. ما نبغيكش, literally 'I don't want you', is a softer way to say the same feeling without using the word for hate.
What does it mean word for word?
كرهتك combines the verb كره (kreh), 'to hate', with the suffix ك, 'you'. ما نبغيكش uses the negative pattern ما…ش around نبغي, 'I want' or 'I love'.
Which one should you use?
كرهتك is blunt and final-sounding, typically said in the heat of an argument. ما نبغيكش can describe anything from mild dislike to real rejection, depending on tone.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Both are informal and emotional, not phrases used in polite or professional speech.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase and its meaning are the same across Morocco.
How does it change in a sentence?
The ending ك for 'you' is the same whether speaking to a man or a woman. The verb كره is in the past tense form but expresses a present feeling, a common pattern in Darija.
How do you pronounce it?
The h in كرهتك is a deep, breathy sound from the throat, and the word is said in one firm beat: kreh-TEK.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Learners sometimes think كرهتك is mild because it looks like a past tense verb. In speech it lands as a strong, hurtful statement, not a casual complaint.
When do people say it?
Moroccans tend to reserve كرهتك for real anger between close people, siblings or couples in a fight, rather than using it lightly the way some languages throw around 'I hate you' as a joke.
Did you know?
- كرهتك is grammatically in the past tense, but like many feeling verbs in Darija it is used to describe a present emotion.
- The negative frame ما…ش around نبغيك, as in ما نبغيكش, is the normal way Darija builds negative sentences, wrapping the verb from both sides.
Examples in context
- كرهتك! غادي توليها.krehtek! ghadi twliha.I hate you! You'll regret it.
- ما نبغيكش بعد ما درتي ليا هادشي.ma nbghikesh ba3d ma derti liya hadshi.I don't want anything to do with you after what you did to me.
- سامحني، ماكنتش قاصد نقول ليك كرهتك.samhni, ma kuntsh qased nqul lik krehtek.Forgive me, I didn't mean to say I hate you.
Example conversation
Siblings Hamid and Laila argue after Laila borrows his bicycle without asking.
- Hamidخديتي الفيلو ديالي بلا ما تقولي ليا!khditi lfilo dyali bla ma tquli liya!You took my bike without telling me!
- Lailaسمحلي، ماكانش عندي وقت نقولك.smehli, ma kansh 3andi weqt nqulek.Sorry, I didn't have time to tell you.
- Hamidكرهتك دابا، بصح غدا نبقى مزيان.krehtek daba, basah ghedda nebqa mzyan.I hate you right now, but tomorrow I'll be fine.
- Lailaسمحلي، ماغاديش تتعاود.smehli, ma ghadish tt3awed.Sorry, it won't happen again.
