Ways to say it
| Moroccan Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| مرحبا | marhba | |
| اهلا وسهلا | ahlan wa sahlan | |
| مرحبا بيك | marhba bik | welcome to you |
The fuller مرحبا بيك (marhba bik), 'welcome to you', is common when greeting someone arriving at a home. اهلا وسهلا (ahlan wa sahlan) is also used, especially in slightly more formal or written welcomes.
What does it mean word for word?
مرحبا comes from the root for welcome. بيك means 'to you', and اهلا وسهلا pairs 'welcome' with 'ease', wishing the guest an easy stay.
Which one should you use?
مرحبا alone is a quick, warm welcome. مرحبا بيك personalizes it a bit more. اهلا وسهلا can feel slightly more formal or written, such as on a sign at a shop entrance.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
All three are polite. مرحبا بيك feels a touch more personal for guests at home, while اهلا وسهلا fits written welcomes too.
Is it said differently in some regions?
These greetings are used across Morocco and understood throughout the Arab world, unlike some Darija-specific words.
How does it change in a sentence?
بيك changes with the person: bik to a man, biki to a woman, bikom to a group.
How do you pronounce it?
مرحبا is stressed on the second syllable, 'mar-HBA', with the Darija pronunciation dropping the vowel after r.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Using مرحبا as a reply to thanks, instead of as a greeting for an arriving guest, is a mismatch, since its role is specifically to welcome someone.
When do people say it?
Moroccan hospitality often goes beyond the word itself, with a guest welcomed by مرحبا usually also offered mint tea or food soon after arriving.
Did you know?
- الدار داركم, 'this house is your house', is a common Moroccan phrase of hospitality said right after welcoming a guest.
- مرحبا is understood across nearly every Arabic-speaking country, unlike many everyday Darija words that are specific to Morocco.
Examples in context
- مرحبا بيك فالدار.marhba bik f-ddar.Welcome to the house.
- مرحبا، تفضل اقعد.marhba, tfaddal q3ed.Welcome, please sit down.
- اهلا وسهلا بكم جميعا.ahlan wa sahlan bikom jmi3an.Welcome to all of you.
Example conversation
Host Rachid welcomes his guest Camille at the door of his home.
- Rachidمرحبا بيك، تفضلي.marhba bik, tfaddali.Welcome, please come in.
- Camilleشكرا بزاف على الدعوة.shukran bzzaf ala d-da3wa.Thank you so much for the invitation.
- Rachidالدار داركم، حسي راحتك.d-dar darkom, hassi rahtek.This house is your house, make yourself comfortable.
- Camilleالله يبارك فيك، زوين بزاف هنا.llah ybarek fik, zwin bzzaf hna.God bless you, it is really beautiful here.
