How to say "yes and no" in Moroccan Darija
إِيّيهْ وَ لا
iyyeh w la
- Without tashkeel
- اييه و لا
- Franco / chat alphabet
- iyyeh w la
- Literally
- yes and no (not idiomatic, translates directly)
When to use it
Used to express ambivalence, partial agreement, or a mixed situation when answering a yes or no question. It is understood universally across Morocco in both casual and formal contexts. In the eastern regions like Oujda, people might say wah w la instead.
Other ways to say it
Casual alternative
آه و لا
ah w la
yes and no
Uses ah instead of iyyeh for yes, which is very common in everyday speech.
Eastern regional
واه و لا
wah w la
yes and no
Uses wah for yes, typical of Oujda and the eastern region.
More descriptive
شوية إييه و شوية لا
shwiya iyyeh w shwiya la
a little yes and a little no
Used when you want to emphasize that your feelings or the situation are truly mixed.
How people reply
كيفاش؟
kifash?
How so?
فسر ليا كتر
fesser liya kter
Explain more to me.
ما فهمتش
ma fhamtsh
I didn't understand.
In a sentence
واش عجبك الفيلم؟ إييه و لا.
wesh 3ejbek l-film? iyyeh w la.
Did you like the movie? Yes and no.
واش غادي تمشي معانا؟ إييه و لا، مازال ما عرفت.
wesh ghadi tmshi m3ana? iyyeh w la, mazal ma 3reft.
Are you going with us? Yes and no, I don't know yet.
الخدمة جديدة مزيانة؟ إييه و لا، فيها تمارة.
l-khedma jdida mzyana? iyyeh w la, fiha tmara.
Is the new job good? Yes and no, it has a lot of hard work.