Body Parts in Darija
Why Body Vocabulary Is Essential
Body parts are among the first words you need when something hurts. Saying 'kayderni ras-i' (my head hurts) at a pharmacy can save you a long, confusing conversation.
These words also appear in countless expressions. 'Qelb-i' (my heart) is a term of affection, and '3in' (eye) shows up in talk about the evil eye, 'l-3in', which is culturally important in Morocco.
The Head and Face
The head is 'ras', and the face is 'wjeh'. On the face you have '3in' (eye), 'fomm' (mouth), 'nif' (nose), 'wden' (ear) and 'snan' (teeth).
Hair is 'ch3ar' and the forehead is 'jebha'. To say 'my eyes' you use the dual or plural '3inin', a useful form because eyes naturally come in pairs.
Arms, Hands and Legs
The hand is 'yedd' and the arm is 'dra3'. Fingers are 'sba3' (which is also the word for lion, so context matters), and the plural is 'swab3'.
The leg and foot share the word 'rjel', while the knee is 'rokba'. To point at the foot specifically, Moroccans often say 'rjel' and gesture, since the word covers the whole lower limb.
Internal Organs and Health Words
Common internal words include 'qelb' (heart), 'kerch' (stomach/belly), 'kebda' (liver) and 'rouz' or 'dem' (blood). 'Kerch' is the word you will use most when describing stomach trouble.
At the doctor, combine these with 'kayderni' (it hurts me): 'kayderni l-kerch' means 'my stomach hurts'. This simple formula works for almost any body part.
Tips for Learning Body Parts
Point to each part on yourself while saying the word out loud. Physical association makes recall far faster than reading a list.
Learn the pain formula 'kayderni + [body part]' early. It instantly makes your vocabulary practical for real situations like clinics and pharmacies.
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Head | ras | راس |
| Face | wjeh | وجه |
| Eye | 3in | عين |
| Nose | nif | نيف |
| Mouth | fomm | فم |
| Ear | wden | ودن |
| Teeth | snan | سنان |
| Tongue | lsan | لسان |
| Hair | ch3ar | شعر |
| Neck | 3on9 | عنق |
| Hand | yedd | يد |
| Arm | dra3 | دراع |
| Finger | sba3 | صبع |
| Leg/Foot | rjel | رجل |
| Knee | rokba | ركبة |
| Back | dher | ظهر |
| Heart | qelb | قلب |
| Stomach | kerch | كرش |
| Liver | kebda | كبدة |
| Blood | dem | دم |
| Bone | 3dem | عظم |
| Skin | jeld | جلد |
Moroccan Darija body part vocabulary
FAQ
How do you say 'my head hurts' in Darija?
Say 'kayderni ras-i' (كيضرني راسي). The pattern 'kayderni' plus a body part works for any pain, like 'kayderni l-kerch' for a stomachache.
What is the word for 'heart' in Darija?
Heart is 'qelb' (قلب). It is also used affectionately, as in 'qelb-i' meaning 'my dear' or 'my love'.
Why is the word for 'eye' culturally important?
'3in' (عين) connects to 'l-3in', the evil eye, a widespread belief in Morocco. People say protective phrases like 'tbarkallah' to ward off envy.
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