Ways to say it
| Moroccan Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| كداب | keddab | |
| كدابة | keddaba | feminine form |
كداب is said about someone who lies often or just told a lie, as in راك كداب, 'you are a liar'. It is direct and can be an open accusation.
What does it mean word for word?
كداب comes from the root كدب (kdeb), 'to lie', the Darija form of the Standard Arabic كذب (kadhaba).
Which one should you use?
كداب names the person as a liar in general. To call out one specific lie, Moroccans instead say هادشي كدوب, 'that is a lie', pointing at the statement rather than the person.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
كداب is blunt and informal, not something said in polite or professional disagreement.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word and its pronunciation are shared across Morocco and the wider Maghreb.
How does it change in a sentence?
كداب becomes كدابة (keddaba) for a woman, and the plural كدابين (keddabin) is used for more than one person.
How do you pronounce it?
The d is doubled and held slightly longer than a single d: ked-DAB.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Calling someone كداب is a real accusation in Morocco, not a light joke, so learners should be careful using it even in a teasing tone with people they do not know well.
When do people say it?
Being called كداب in front of others is taken seriously in Moroccan social life, since trust and reputation carry real weight in daily dealings, from family matters to business.
Did you know?
- كداب shares its root with the Standard Arabic كذب, showing how a sound in formal Arabic regularly shifts to d in Darija.
- Moroccans more often call a specific statement كدوب, 'a lie', rather than straight away calling a person كداب, which softens a direct accusation of lying.
Examples in context
- راك كداب، هادشي ماشي صحيح.rak keddab, hadshi mashi sahih.You're a liar, that's not true.
- ماتصدقش ليه، هو كداب.ma tsaddqsh lih, huwa keddab.Don't believe him, he's a liar.
- هي ماشي كدابة، كانت كاتقول الصح.hiya mashi keddaba, kanet kattqul ssah.She's not a liar, she was telling the truth.
Example conversation
Two coworkers, Nabil and Khalid, argue after Khalid denies missing a deadline.
- Nabilقلتي ليا غاديها كاملة، وما كملتيهاش!qulti liya ghadiha kamla, w ma kemmeltihash!You told me it would be finished, and you didn't finish it!
- Khalidأنا ماقلتش هادشي.ana ma qultsh hadshi.I didn't say that.
- Nabilراك كداب، كاين الرسالة عندي.rak keddab, kayen rrisala 3andi.You're a liar, I have the message.
- Khalidواخا، سمح لي، غلطت.wakha, smehli, ghletet.Okay, sorry, I made a mistake.
