Ways to say it
| Moroccan Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| شكرا | shukran | |
| شكرا بزاف | shukran bzzaf | very much |
| الله يعطيك الصحة | llah y’tik ssaha | for work or a service |
| بارك الله فيك | barak llahu fik | religious |
| ميرسي | merci | from French |
To say 'thank you very much', add بزاف, the Darija word for 'a lot', and say شكرا بزاف. Moroccans also thank people with blessings, and the French ميرسي (merci) is heard every day in cities.
What does it mean word for word?
شكرا comes from the Arabic root for gratitude. بزاف means 'a lot'. الله يعطيك الصحة means 'may God give you health', and بارك الله فيك means 'may God bless you'.
Which one should you use?
شكرا and ميرسي fit any small favour. الله يعطيك الصحة is the warm choice for someone who has worked for you, such as a cook, a driver or a craftsman. بارك الله فيك sounds more religious and heartfelt.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Darija has no separate polite form of 'thank you'. Politeness comes from the blessing you add, so الله يعطيك الصحة sounds more respectful than a quick ميرسي.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The same words are used across Morocco. In the cities French words mix freely into speech, which is why ميرسي بزاف (merci bzzaf) is common.
How does it change in a sentence?
The ending ك in فيك and يعطيك means 'you' and is the same for a man and a woman. When you thank a group, it becomes كم: بارك الله فيكم (barak llahu fikum).
How do you pronounce it?
Darija shortens vowels, so شكرا often sounds like 'shokran'. In بزاف the z is doubled and held a little longer: 'bzzaf'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
The Standard Arabic شكرا جزيلا (shukran jazilan) is understood, but in Morocco it sounds bookish. Say شكرا بزاف in conversation.
When do people say it?
The usual reply to thanks is بلا جميل (bla jmil), literally 'without a favour', or مرحبا (mrehba). When someone says الله يعطيك الصحة, answer الله يسلمك (llah ysellmek), 'may God keep you safe'.
Did you know?
- The word بزاف (bzzaf), meaning 'a lot', is not used in Standard Arabic, so شكرا بزاف instantly marks a speaker as Moroccan or Algerian.
- ميرسي بزاف (merci bzzaf) is half French and half Darija, and it is one of the most common ways to say thanks in Moroccan cities.
Examples in context
- شكرا بزاف على المساعدة.shukran bzzaf ala l-musaada.Thank you very much for the help.
- الله يعطيك الصحة، الماكلة بنينة.llah y’tik ssaha, l-makla bnina.Thank you, the food is delicious.
- ميرسي، نتلاقاو غدا.merci, ntlaqaw ghedda.Thanks, see you tomorrow.
Example conversation
Salma thanks her neighbour Youssef for carrying her shopping bags.
- Salmaشكرا بزاف.shukran bzzaf.Thank you very much.
- Youssefبلا جميل.bla jmil.You are welcome.
- Salmaالله يعطيك الصحة.llah y’tik ssaha.May God give you health.
- Youssefالله يسلمك.llah ysellmek.May God keep you safe.
