Ways to say it
| Moroccan Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| كاكا | kaka | used with children |
| خرا | khra | plain, blunt word |
كاكا is the soft, child-friendly word, as in خصك تدير كاكا؟, 'do you need to poop?' خرا is the plain, blunt word adults use among themselves, and it can sound rude in polite company.
What does it mean word for word?
كاكا is a simple, repeated sound typical of words used with small children. خرا comes from the ordinary Arabic root for excrement.
Which one should you use?
Use كاكا with or around children, the same way English uses 'poop' instead of a cruder word. خرا is plainer and can sound crude depending on the setting.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
كاكا is gentle and used in family settings. خرا is blunt and best avoided in polite or mixed company.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Both words are understood across Morocco.
How does it change in a sentence?
كاكا is used as an invariable noun, the same form for any situation, as in دار كاكا, 'he pooped'.
How do you pronounce it?
كاكا is said with two equal, short syllables: KA-ka.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Using خرا around children or in a formal setting is considered crude. كاكا is the safer, everyday choice in those situations.
When do people say it?
Moroccan parents, like parents in many cultures, use a soft nursery word like كاكا when talking to small children about using the bathroom.
Did you know?
- كاكا uses a doubled, simple sound typical of nursery words, the same pattern found in many unrelated languages for child vocabulary.
- Darija keeps two distinct words here, a soft one for children and a blunt one for adults, much like English separates 'poop' from cruder alternatives.
Examples in context
- خصك تدير كاكا؟khessek tdir kaka?Do you need to poop?
- الطفل دار كاكا فالسروال.ttfel dar kaka f ssrwal.The child pooped in his pants.
- سيرو لبيت الما قبل ما تديرو كاكا.siru l bit lma qbel ma tdiru kaka.Go to the bathroom before you poop.
Example conversation
A mother, Naima, checks on her toddler Yasser during a walk.
- Naimaخصك تدير كاكا، ياسر؟khessek tdir kaka, Yasser?Do you need to poop, Yasser?
- Yasserلا ماما، ماخصنيش.la mama, ma khessnish.No mom, I don't need to.
- Naimaواخا، قوليلي إلى خصك.wakha, qulili ila khessek.Okay, tell me if you need to.
- Yasserواخا ماما.wakha mama.Okay mom.
