How to say "family" in Moroccan Darija
الْعائِلَة
l-3aila
- Without tashkeel
- العائلة
- Franco / chat alphabet
- l3aila
- Literally
- the family
When to use it
"L-3aila" is the standard word for family in Moroccan Darija, used across all regions in both casual and formal contexts. Another extremely common word is "l-famila", borrowed from French or Spanish, which is slightly more colloquial. When greeting someone, it is culturally expected to ask about the well-being of their family.
Other ways to say it
my family
عائِلْتي
3ailti
my family
Used when talking about your own family.
your family
عائِلْتْك
3ailtk
your family
Used when addressing a single person (male or female) about their family.
colloquial alternative
الْفاميلَة
l-famila
the family
A very common loanword used interchangeably with l-3aila in casual speech.
parents / household
مالين الدّار
malin d-dar
the household / parents
Literally 'owners of the house', used to refer to one's immediate family or parents living at home.
How people reply
لاباس عَليهُم، الْحَمْدُ لِلّه
labas 3lihom, l-7amdollah
They are fine, praise be to God.
كولْشي بِخير، يُسَوّْل فيك الْخير
kolshi bkhir, yswwl fik l-khir
Everyone is fine, may good things ask about you.
In a sentence
كيف دايْرَة الْعائِلَة؟
kif dayra l-3aila?
How is the family doing?
غادي نْسافْر مْعَ عائِلْتي.
ghadi nsafr m3a 3ailti.
I am going to travel with my family.
سَلّْم عْلى عائِلْتْك.
sllm 3la 3ailtk.
Say hello to your family for me.