Clothes & Fashion Words in Darija
Everyday Clothing Words
The basics include 'qamija' (shirt), 'serwal' (trousers), 'sebbat' (shoes) and 'tricou' (t-shirt or sweater, from French). These cover most daily outfits.
For tops and outerwear you have 'kebbot' (coat/jacket) and 'jakitta' (jacket). When shopping, you can simply point and ask 'be-cḥal hada?' meaning 'how much is this?'
Traditional Moroccan Garments
Morocco has rich traditional dress. The 'jellaba' is a long hooded robe worn by men and women, while the 'qftan' (kaftan) is an elegant gown for weddings and celebrations.
Men often wear a 'jebador' or 'gandora' in summer, and the pointed leather slippers called 'belgha' are iconic. These words are essential when shopping in the medina for traditional wear.
Accessories and Footwear
Footwear includes 'sebbat' (shoes), 'belgha' (slippers) and 'sebbat ryadi' (sports shoes). On the head you might wear a 'taqiya' (skullcap) or 'chèche' (turban cloth).
Other accessories are 'sa3a' (watch), 'lkhatem' (ring) and 'mhrma' or 'foulard' (scarf). Jewelry, especially gold, is 'dheb', a big part of Moroccan weddings.
Shopping for Clothes in the Souk
Sizes are often given in French numbers or with words like 'sghir' (small) and 'kbir' (big). You can ask 'wach 3andek kbir?' to ask for a bigger size.
Bargaining is expected. Useful phrases include 'ghali bzzaf' (too expensive) and 'na9ess chwiya' (lower it a bit). Combine these with clothing words to negotiate confidently.
Tips for Fashion Vocabulary
Notice how many words are borrowed from French, like 'tricou', 'jakitta' and 'foulard'. If you know basic French, these are quick wins.
Learn the traditional garment names separately, since they carry cultural weight and have no direct English equivalent. Knowing 'qftan' versus 'jellaba' shows real cultural awareness.
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Shirt | qamija | قاميجة |
| T-shirt | tricou | تريكو |
| Pants | serwal | سروال |
| Shoes | sebbat | صباط |
| Coat/Jacket | kebbot | كبوط |
| Hooded robe | jellaba | جلابة |
| Kaftan | qftan | قفطان |
| Summer robe | gandora | قندورة |
| Leather slippers | belgha | بلغة |
| Dress | robe | روب |
| Skirt | jupe | جوب |
| Hat/Cap | taqiya | طاقية |
| Scarf | foulard | فولار |
| Belt | smta | سمطة |
| Socks | tqacher | تقاشر |
| Watch | sa3a | ساعة |
| Ring | lkhatem | الخاتم |
| Gold | dheb | دهب |
| Clothes (general) | 7wayej | حوايج |
| Size | qyas | قياس |
| Big | kbir | كبير |
| Small | sghir | صغير |
Moroccan Darija clothing and fashion vocabulary
FAQ
What is a 'jellaba' in Moroccan clothing?
A 'jellaba' (جلابة) is a long, loose hooded robe worn by both men and women in Morocco. It is everyday traditional wear, especially in cooler weather.
How do you ask the price of clothes in Darija?
Say 'be-cḥal hada?' (بشحال هذا؟) meaning 'how much is this?'. To bargain, add 'ghali bzzaf' (too expensive) and 'na9ess chwiya' (lower it a little).
What is the difference between a jellaba and a qftan?
A 'jellaba' is an everyday hooded robe, while a 'qftan' (kaftan) is an elegant, often embroidered gown worn for weddings and special celebrations.
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