Forming Questions in Darija
Yes/No Questions with wach
The simplest way to ask a yes/no question is to put 'wach' at the beginning of a statement. 'Nta mghribi' (you are Moroccan) becomes 'wach nta mghribi?' (are you Moroccan?).
'Wach' functions like a spoken question mark. It turns any statement into a question without changing the word order, which makes it very easy to use.
Questions with Intonation
In casual speech, you can skip 'wach' entirely and just raise your voice at the end. 'Nta mghribi?' with rising intonation is a perfectly natural question.
This is extremely common in everyday conversation. Both the 'wach' version and the intonation-only version are correct, so you can choose whichever feels easier.
Question Words
Information questions use specific words: 'chnu/ach' (what), 'fin' (where), 'imta/imta' (when), 'chhal' (how much/many), '3lach' (why), 'kifach' (how), 'chkun' (who), and 'achmen' (which).
For example: 'chnu smitek?' (what is your name?), 'fin sakn?' (where do you live?), 'chhal hada?' (how much is this?), '3lach?' (why?).
Where Question Words Go
Most question words come at the start of the sentence, just like English. 'Fin mchiti?' (where did you go?), 'imta ghadi tji?' (when will you come?), 'kifach dert hadchi?' (how did you do this?).
Some, like 'chhal', can also follow the noun: 'flous chhal?' is less common than 'chhal d l-flous?' (how much money?). When in doubt, put the question word first.
Asking About People and Things
'Chkun' asks who: 'chkun hada?' (who is this?), 'chkun lli ja?' (who came?). 'Chnu' or 'ach' asks what: 'ach kat3ref?' (what do you know?), 'chnu hadchi?' (what is this?).
'Achmen' asks which: 'achmen wahed bghiti?' (which one do you want?). These cover almost every situation where you need to identify a person or object.
Polite and Practical Questions
For travel and daily life, memorize ready-made questions: 'fin kayn l-7ammam?' (where is the bathroom?), 'chhal had l-haja?' (how much is this thing?), 'wach 3andek...?' (do you have...?).
'Kifach nemchi l...?' (how do I get to...?) is invaluable for navigation. Keeping a small bank of these phrases ready lets you communicate even before mastering full grammar.
| English | Darija | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Are you Moroccan? | wach nta mghribi? | ูุงุด ูุชุง ู ุบุฑุจูุ |
| What is your name? | chnu smitek? | ุดูู ุณู ูุชูุ |
| Where do you live? | fin sakn? | ููู ุณุงููุ |
| When will you come? | imta ghadi tji? | ุฅู ุชู ุบุงุฏู ุชุฌูุ |
| How much is this? | chhal hada? | ุดุญุงู ูุงุฏุงุ |
| Why? | 3lach? | ุนูุงุดุ |
Examples
FAQ
How do I ask a yes/no question in Darija?
Add 'wach' at the start of a statement, as in 'wach nta mghribi?' (are you Moroccan?), or simply raise your intonation at the end.
What are the main Darija question words?
'chnu/ach' (what), 'fin' (where), 'imta' (when), 'chhal' (how much), '3lach' (why), 'kifach' (how), and 'chkun' (who).
Where does the question word go?
Usually at the beginning of the sentence, like English, for example 'fin mchiti?' (where did you go?).
Loved this? Useful? React below โ your feedback helps other readers.