Lesson objective
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
- describe family members
- explain family relationships
- use the verb to have in simple sentences
Cultural points
Family relationships are very strong in Morocco. Children often remain in close contact with their family, and may continue living with the family after marriage when there is enough space in the house. The roles of men and women may differ between cities and rural areas.
Immediate family
| English | Darija |
|---|
| Woman / wife | mra |
| Man / husband | rajl |
| Girl / daughter | bnt |
| Boy / son | wld |
| Girls / daughters | bnat |
| Boys / sons / children | wlad |
| Parents | l-walidin |
| Father | l’ab |
| Mother | l’om |
| Brother | l’ax |
| Sister | l’oxt |
These forms for father, mother, brother, and sister are rarely used alone in Darija — they are more often used with possessive forms such as my father, your mother, his brother, or her sister.
Brother and sister forms
| English | Darija |
|---|
| My brother | xuya |
| Brothers / siblings | xut |
| My sister | xti |
| Sisters | xwatat |
Extended family
| English | Darija |
|---|
| In-law / In-laws | nsib / nsab |
| Stepson | rbib |
| Stepdaughter | rbiba |
| Grandfather | jdd |
| Grandmother | jdda |
| Paternal uncle | 3mm |
| Paternal aunt | 3mma |
| Maternal uncle | xal |
| Maternal aunt | xala |
Nephews and nieces
| English | Darija |
|---|
| My brother’s son | wld xuya |
| My brother’s daughter | bnt xuya |
| My sister’s son | wld xti |
| My sister’s daughter | bnt xti |
Cousins
| English | Darija |
|---|
| Male cousin — father’s side | wld 3mmi / wld 3mmti |
| Male cousin — mother’s side | wld xali / wld xalti |
| Female cousin — father’s side | bnt 3mmi / bnt 3mmti |
| Female cousin — mother’s side | bnt xali / bnt xalti |
