Comparative adjectives are one of the most useful tools when learning Moroccan Darija. They allow us to compare two people, objects, or situations, just like in English. For example, in English we say: “This car is cheaper than that one.” In Darija, we also compare, but we follow a special rule.

In this lesson, we will explain how comparative adjectives work in Moroccan Arabic, give you a list of the most common words, and show you how to use them in real-life sentences. By the end, you will be able to say things like “I am taller than my brother” or “This restaurant is better than that one” naturally in Darija.

1. The Golden Rule of Comparatives in Moroccan Arabic

The formula is very simple:

Subject + comparative adjective + men (من) + second thing

This is exactly the same as English “X is … than Y”, but instead of “than” we always use men (من).

✅ Examples:

• Ana ṭwl men Hicham → I am taller than Hicham.
  
• Had l-ktab 9dm men hadak → This book is older than that one.
  
• Had Sou9 rkhaṣ men dak → This market is cheaper than that one.
  

❌ Wrong usage: Saying Ana twil men Hicham is incorrect, because “twil” is only the base adjective. You must change it into its comparative form: ṭwl men.

2. Step One: Learn the Base Adjectives

Here is a list of 20 common adjectives in English with their Darija equivalents. These are the words you need before you can form comparatives.

These are the starting points. Now let’s see how they change when we use them to compare.

3. Step Two: Comparative Adjectives in Moroccan Darija

Comparatives in Darija often follow patterns that shorten or slightly change the adjective. You cannot simply add men to the base word, you must use the comparative form.

Here is the comparative table with the same 20 words:

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4. How to Build Sentences

Now that you know the rule and the forms, let’s build some sentences step by step:

• Had l-mat3am 7sn men hadak → This restaurant is better than that one.
  
• Ana aqwa men Saïd → I am stronger than Saïd.
  
• Had telefoun ghla men dyalk → This phone is more expensive than yours.
  
• Casablanca kbr men Rabat → Casablanca is bigger than Rabat.
  
• Lma brd men atay → Water is colder than tea.
  

Notice that men always comes before the second item being compared.

5. Practice: Try It Yourself

Here are some exercises you can try to master the rule.

A. Translate into Darija:

1. She is taller than her brother.
   
2. This book is cheaper than that one.
   
3. The house is bigger than the shop.
   
4. I am faster than you.
   
5. This tea is hotter than the coffee.

Answers: 

1- Hiya twl mn khouha

2- Had lkitab rkhs mn hadak

3- Dar kber mn l7anout

4- Atay skhn mn l9ahwa

B. Fill in the blanks:

1. Had l-ktab ____ men hadak. (old) { This book is older than that one}
   
2. Had l-mra ____ men khti. (tall) { This woman is taller than my sister}
   
3. Ana ____ men s7abi. (strong) { I am stronger than my friends}
   
4. Dak tomobile ____ men hadik. (expensive) {That car is more expensive than that one }
   
5. Lma ____ men l7lib. (cold) { water is colder than milk }

Answers: 

1- 9dm 2- twl 3- aqwa 4- ghla 5- brd

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Forgetting the comparative form
   
   • ❌ Ana mzyan men Hicham
     
   • ✅ Ana 7sn men Hicham
     
2. Mixing base adjective with “men”
   
   • ❌ Dak l-ktab qdim men hadak → sounds strange in casual Darija.
     
   • ✅ Dak l-ktab qdm men hadak.
     
3. Leaving out “men”
   
   • ❌ Ana ṭwl Hicham
     
   • ✅ Ana ṭwl men Hicham
     

7. Why Comparative Adjectives Matter

Comparisons are part of everyday conversation. Whether you are shopping, describing people, or talking about cities, you’ll need these forms constantly. In Moroccan daily life, you often hear sentences like:

• Had l-ḥwayej rkhṣ men hadouk → These clothes are cheaper than those.
  
• Marrakech skhn men Tangier → Marrakech is hotter than Tangier.
  
• Had l-film 7sn men dak li shafna → This movie is better than the one we watched.
  

By mastering comparatives, you make your Darija sound natural and fluent.

Now that you understand how to use comparative adjectives in Moroccan Arabic, you can continue building your skills step by step. If you are just starting out, you might also enjoy our lesson on Moroccan Darija numbers 0 to 20 made easy, which helps you describe quantities and compare prices in the market. Another helpful guide is 7 Essential Moroccan Darija Question Phrases Every Beginner Will Love, where you learn how to ask and answer simple daily questions. And if you want to expand your vocabulary even more, check out 100 Useful Moroccan Darija Verbs for Everyday Conversations. These lessons all connect together and will make your conversations in Darija more natural and confident.

8. Conclusion

Comparative adjectives in Moroccan Arabic are simple once you remember the rule:

Comparative adjective + men (من) + the second thing.

You’ve now learned 20 of the most common adjectives and their comparative forms, seen example sentences, and practiced exercises. Keep using these in your daily conversations, and soon comparisons in Darija will become second nature.

FAQs About Comparative Adjectives in Moroccan Arabic

Try to compare everything around you, foods, objects, people, or even weather. The more you practice, the easier it will feel.