Ways to say it
| Moroccan Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| طوالت | twalit | from French |
| بيت الما | bit lma | house of water |
طوالت is heard especially in cities and newer buildings, as in فين كاين الطوالت؟, 'where is the toilet?' بيت الما, 'house of water', is the older, native Darija word for the same place.
What does it mean word for word?
طوالت is a direct borrowing from French, adapted into Darija sound patterns. بيت الما literally means 'house of water'.
Which one should you use?
Both words point to the same place. طوالت sounds more modern and urban, while بيت الما is the more traditional, native term.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Both are everyday, neutral words, used in polite requests such as asking a waiter or a host.
Is it said differently in some regions?
طوالت is more frequent in cities with heavy French influence in daily speech, such as Casablanca and Rabat.
How does it change in a sentence?
فين كاين؟, 'where is', is placed first to ask politely for either word.
How do you pronounce it?
طوالت keeps a French-influenced sound, closer to 'twa-let' than a fully Arabic pronunciation.
When do people say it?
Many Moroccan public toilets, especially in train stations and older buildings, expect a small coin for the attendant who keeps them clean.
Did you know?
- طوالت is one of many French loanwords from the colonial period that stayed in everyday Darija use in Moroccan cities.
- Leaving a small coin for the attendant at a Moroccan public toilet is a common, expected courtesy, especially at train and bus stations.
Examples in context
- فين كاين الطوالت من فضلك؟fin kayn ttwalit min fadlek?Where is the toilet please?
- الطوالت فالطابق الأول.ttwalit f ttabaq lawwal.The toilet is on the first floor.
- خصني نسير لبيت الما شوية.khesni nsir l bit lma shwiya.I need to go to the toilet for a moment.
Example conversation
A traveller, Peter, asks a train station worker, Jalil, for the toilet in Casablanca.
- Peterسمح لي، فين كاين الطوالت؟smehli, fin kayn ttwalit?Excuse me, where is the toilet?
- Jalilفالخلف، حدا المحطة.f lkhalf, hda lmahatta.In the back, next to the station.
- Peterشكرا بزاف.shukran bzzaf.Thank you very much.
- Jalilبلا جميل.bla jmil.You're welcome.
