How to say "I'm sorry" in Moroccan Darija
سْمَحْ لِي
sme7 li
- Without tashkeel
- سمح لي
- Franco / chat alphabet
- sm7 lia
- Literally
- forgive to-me
When to use it
This is the most common way to say "I'm sorry" or "excuse me" in Moroccan Darija. It literally means "forgive me" and the verb must be conjugated to match the gender and number of the person you are addressing. It is highly versatile, used for everything from politely getting someone's attention to offering a sincere apology.
Other ways to say it
to a woman
سْمْحِي لِي
sm7i li
I'm sorry
Use this when speaking directly to a female.
to a group
سْمْحُوا لِي
sm7ou li
I'm sorry
Use this when addressing two or more people.
very sorry
سْمَحْ لِي بْزَّاف
sme7 li bezzaf
I'm very sorry
Add "bezzaf" (a lot) for a deeper, more sincere apology.
formal apology
كَانْعْتَاذَرْ
kan3tader
I apologize
A more formal expression used in professional settings or for serious matters.
How people reply
مَاشِي مُشْكِيل
mashi mushkil
No problem.
دّْنْيَا هَانْيَة
ddenya hanya
No worries (literally: the world is peaceful).
مَاعْلِيشْ
ma3lish
It's okay / never mind.
In a sentence
سْمَحْ لِي، مَا شْفْتْكْشْ.
sme7 li, ma shefteksh.
I'm sorry, I didn't see you.
سْمْحِي لِي تْعَطَّلْتْ عْلِيكْ.
sm7i li t3ettelt 3lik.
I'm sorry I'm late (addressing a woman).
سْمْحُوا لِي بْزَّافْ عْلَى هَادْ لْغَالَطْ.
sm7ou li bezzaf 3la had lghalat.
I am very sorry for this mistake (addressing a group).