Ways to say it
| Moroccan Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| حمار | hmar | literally donkey |
| غبي | ghbi | stupid |
حمار is thrown at someone who did something foolish, the same way English speakers might call someone an 'ass' or 'donkey'. غبي is a more direct word for 'stupid'.
What does it mean word for word?
حمار simply means 'donkey' in Arabic, used figuratively for a foolish person. غبي comes from the root for lacking understanding, shared with Standard Arabic.
Which one should you use?
حمار is more colourful and commonly shouted in frustration. غبي is a plainer, slightly less harsh way to call someone stupid.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Both are rude and informal. Neither belongs in polite or professional speech.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Animal-based insults like حمار are common across Morocco and the wider Maghreb.
How does it change in a sentence?
حمار becomes حمارة (hmara) for a woman, and غبي becomes غبية (ghbiya).
How do you pronounce it?
The h in حمار is a light breathy sound, and the stress falls on the second syllable: h-MAR.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Learners sometimes think حمار is a mild joke. Said to a stranger or in the wrong tone, it is a real insult and can start a serious argument.
When do people say it?
Moroccans also use حمار half-jokingly among close friends after a silly mistake, where the tone of voice, not the word itself, decides whether it is an insult or a tease.
Did you know?
- Calling someone حمار for being foolish is common across Arabic dialects, not only in Morocco, though the exact tone of insult varies by country.
- Among close friends, Moroccans often use حمار half-jokingly after a clumsy mistake, where tone of voice decides whether it lands as an insult or a tease.
Examples in context
- راك حمار، علاش درتي هادشي؟rak hmar, 3lash derti hadshi?You are an idiot, why did you do that?
- ماتكونش غبي، فكر مزيان.ma tkunsh ghbi, fekker mzyan.Don't be stupid, think it through.
- ضحك عليه كيف الحمار.dhek 3lih kif lhmar.He was laughed at like a fool.
Example conversation
Two friends, Anas and Youssef, argue after Youssef misses the bus they needed.
- Anasفاتك الطوبيس! راك حمار!fatek ttubis! rak hmar!You missed the bus! You idiot!
- Youssefسمحلي، كنت نتسنى صاحبي.smehli, kent netsenna sahbi.Sorry, I was waiting for my friend.
- Anasواخا، دابا غادي نتسنوا طوبيس آخر.wakha, daba ghadi netsennaw tubis akhor.Okay, now we'll wait for another bus.
- Youssefسمحلي بزاف، ماغاديش تتعاود.smehli bzzaf, ma ghadish tt3awed.I'm really sorry, it won't happen again.
