Learning Darija Alphabet Pronunciation is the first big step in understanding Moroccan Arabic. If you are a beginner, you might notice something unusual: unlike English, French, or Spanish, Moroccan Darija does not have one official alphabet. Instead, it is written in different ways — Arabic script, Latin script, and even using numbers when texting online.

his article will guide you through the Darija alphabet pronunciation, explain the transcription systems, and give you easy examples to help you read, write, and speak with confidence.

Why Learn Darija Alphabet Pronunciation?

Before you start memorizing words or phrases, you need to understand how the sounds work. Darija has a few unique letters and throat sounds that do not exist in English. Without mastering them, it becomes very hard to pronounce words correctly.

By learning the Darija alphabet pronunciation, you will:

• Recognize sounds that are not in English or French.
• Understand how Moroccans write Darija in messages and on social media.
• Build a strong foundation for speaking and listening.

Three Ways Darija is Written

Unlike Modern Standard Arabic, Darija is flexible when it comes to writing. You will see it in:

1. Arabic script – the traditional way, using the Arabic alphabet.
2. Latin script (transcription) – used by learners, language courses, or Moroccans writing informally.
3. Numbers (Arabizi / Chat Alphabet) – very common online, mixing Latin letters with numbers.

Let’s explore each one.

1. Darija in Arabic Script

Darija uses the same Arabic letters you find in the Quran or in newspapers. However, some letters are pronounced differently in Morocco.

For example:

• ق (qaf) is often pronounced like g in Moroccan Darija.
• ج (jim) is usually pronounced like j (as in “measure”).
• ث (tha) and ذ (dhal) are not common in Darija; they often change to t / d / s / z in real speech.

Example words in Arabic script:

• كلب → kalb → dog
• طريق → tariq → road
• غزالة → ghzala → gazelle / beautiful woman

2. Darija in Latin Script

To help learners, Darija can be written in Latin letters. This makes it easier to read if you are not used to the Arabic alphabet.

Here are some important sound-letter matches for Darija alphabet pronunciation:

Want to hear how these words are pronounced and learn even more vocabulary? Follow us on Instagram and Pinterest where we share daily Darija words, audio clips, and tips to boost your learning!

3. Darija Using Numbers (Arabizi)

Online, Moroccans often write Darija using Latin letters plus numbers to represent sounds that do not exist in English. This is called Arabizi or the chat alphabet.

The most common numbers are:

• 3 = ع
• 7 = ح (ḥ)
• 9 = ق (q / g)

Examples:

• “salam 3likom” = السلام عليكم (peace be upon you)
• “7lib” = حليب (milk)
• “9hwa” = قهوة (coffee)

Understanding this system is very useful if you want to chat with Moroccans online.

Vowels in Darija

One of the biggest challenges in Darija alphabet pronunciation is the vowels. In Arabic script, short vowels are often left out. For learners, transcription makes them clearer.

• a → like “cat” → kalb (dog)
• i → like “sit” → bint (girl)
• u / ou → like “food” → khobz (bread)

Practice reading and listening to these differences:

• qalb (heart) vs kalb (dog)
• sif (summer) vs suf (wool)

Consonants in Darija

Darija consonants are close to Arabic, but some have special Moroccan flavors.

Here is a quick guide:

Common Mistakes in Darija Alphabet Pronunciation

Beginners often make the following mistakes:

• Confusing q (ق) and k (ك).
• Replacing gh (غ) with r.
• Forgetting to roll the r.
• Using French spelling rules instead of Darija transcription.

Tip: always practice with listening. Reading alone will not help with these sounds.

Practice: Match the Systems

Let’s take the word “coffee”:

• Arabic script → قهوة
• Latin transcription → qahwa / gahwa
• Arabizi → 9hwa

Another example, “beautiful”:

• Arabic script → زوين
• Latin transcription → zwin
• Arabizi → zwin

Summary Chart of Darija Alphabet Pronunciation

Here is a handy chart for learners:

👉 You can download the full Darija alphabet pronunciation chart (PDF) at the end of this lesson for offline practice.

What’s Next After Learning Darija Alphabet Pronunciation?

Now that you have mastered the basics of Darija alphabet pronunciation, it’s time to move on to real communication. We recommend:

• Learn Moroccan Darija Numbers 0 to 20 Made Easy
• 7 Essential Moroccan Darija Question Phrases Every Beginner Will Love
• 100 Useful Moroccan Darija Verbs for Everyday Conversations

The more you practice, the easier it will be to connect with Moroccans in everyday situations.

FAQs: Darija Alphabet Pronunciation

Final Thoughts

The Darija alphabet pronunciation might feel confusing at first because of the three different writing systems. But with practice, you will quickly learn to read, write, and pronounce words correctly.

Start with the Arabic letters, get comfortable with the Latin transcription, and don’t forget to recognize the numbers in Arabizi. Soon, you will be able to text friends, read signs, and understand conversations with much more confidence.