The Moroccan Arabic “r”

The Moroccan Arabic sound r is not the same as the English r. It is a short flap similar to the Spanish or Italian r.

Pronunciation exercise

Say the English expression “gotta go.” Repeat “gotta” quickly several times. Notice how the tongue briefly touches the roof of the mouth behind the teeth. That quick tongue movement is similar to the Moroccan Arabic r.

Another exercise is to make a rolling or whirring sound: “rrrrrrrrrr.” Practise this sound regularly until the movement becomes natural.