How to Type Darija (Keyboard Setup)

The Darija Typing Problem

Darija has no single official written form. It's primarily a spoken language, so when Moroccans need to write it, in texts, social media, and chats, they improvise. Two main systems exist: writing with the Latin alphabet using numbers for missing sounds (often called Arabizi or 'Arabic chat alphabet'), or writing in standard Arabic script.

Understanding both is useful. Younger and diaspora Moroccans lean heavily on the Latin-with-numbers method because it works on any keyboard without setup, while many prefer Arabic script for a more 'proper' look or for longer messages. Knowing the conventions lets you read and write either way.

Arabizi: Numbers as Letters

The clever core of Arabizi is using digits that visually or phonetically resemble Arabic sounds that have no Latin equivalent. The key ones are: 3 for the 'ayn (a guttural sound), 7 for the deep breathy H (as in 'Hamdoulah'), 9 for the qaf (deep Q), and 2 for the glottal stop (hamza). You'll also see 5 or 'kh' for the throat-clearing sound, and gh for the French-style R.

So 'sba7 lkhir' means good morning, '3afak' means please, and '9hwa' means coffee. Once you memorize this handful of number-letter mappings, you can read and write the way most Moroccans actually chat online, no special keyboard required.

Enabling an Arabic Keyboard on Your Phone

If you prefer Arabic script, adding an Arabic keyboard takes a minute. On iPhone, go to Settings, General, Keyboard, Keyboards, Add New Keyboard, and choose Arabic. On Android, open Settings, System, Languages and input, then the on-screen keyboard (Gboard), Languages, Add keyboard, and select Arabic.

Once added, you switch between Latin and Arabic layouts using the globe icon on the keyboard. Gboard and similar apps also offer transliteration modes where you type Latin letters and they convert to Arabic script, which many Darija writers find faster.

Setting Up Arabic on a Computer

On Windows, go to Settings, Time and Language, Language and Region, Add a language, and choose Arabic (you can pick Morocco). On Mac, open System Settings, Keyboard, Text Input, Edit, then add an Arabic input source. Switch layouts with the language menu in the menu bar or a keyboard shortcut.

Physical keyboards won't have Arabic letters printed on them, so either learn the layout, attach Arabic keyboard stickers, or use an on-screen keyboard reference until the positions become familiar.

Transliteration and Conversion Tools

Several tools let you type in Latin letters and produce Arabic script automatically, useful if you can speak Darija but don't know the Arabic keyboard layout. Gboard's transliteration for Arabic and various web-based converters serve this purpose. They're imperfect with Darija's non-standard spelling, so review the output.

For learning, it can help to write the same phrase both ways, Arabizi and Arabic script, so you build a bridge between how you type casually and how the language looks in formal Arabic. Over time you'll read both effortlessly.

Which Method Should You Use?

For quick, casual messaging that matches how most Moroccans chat, Arabizi is the practical default, zero setup and instantly understood by friends. For more formal writing, longer posts, or if you're also studying standard Arabic, the Arabic script keyboard is worth setting up.

Many people use both depending on context and audience. Start with Arabizi to participate immediately, then add an Arabic keyboard as your confidence grows and your needs become more formal.

Common Arabizi number-letter mappings

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