Dietary & needs
Dietary Restriction Phrases in Darija
Communicating dietary needs clearly is the key to eating safely and well in Morocco, and a handful of phrases in Darija (Moroccan Arabic) and French make all the difference. Moroccans widely speak French too, so a mix works almost everywhere. For serious allergies, back up your words with a written card. Below are the essential phrases and how to use them, with pronunciations kept simple. Transliterations are approximate, and a written card is safest for critical needs.
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- 8 min
- Guide
- Dietary & needs
- Updated
- 19 July 2026
At a glance
- A mix of Darija and French covers dietary needs almost everywhere.
- For allergies, carry a written card and name the specific ingredient and severity.
- Ask about cooking method, not just ingredients — meat broth is the classic hidden trap.
Vegetarian and vegan phrases
The core idea is to state clearly what you do not eat and, crucially, to flag meat broth, which is used in many vegetable dishes. In French, ne...pas is your friend; in Darija, ma...sh brackets the verb. Be explicit, because a little chicken or a meat garnish is sometimes not considered meat.
- I do not eat meat (French): je ne mange pas de viande.
- I do not eat meat (Darija): ma kanakolsh lham.
- No chicken or fish: pas de poulet ni de poisson (Darija: bla djaj wala hout).
- No meat broth: sans bouillon de viande — the key phrase to avoid hidden stock.
- Vegan (no dairy, eggs, honey): sans produits laitiers, sans oeufs, sans miel.
Allergy and gluten phrases
For allergies, precision and seriousness matter, so name the exact allergen and make clear it makes you ill. Nuts and sesame are the most common serious allergens in Moroccan cooking, and gluten hides in couscous, bread and thickened soups.
- I am allergic to... (French): je suis allergique aux... (e.g. aux noix, for nuts).
- I am allergic to... (Darija): andi hasasiya men... (I have an allergy to...).
- No nuts / no peanuts: sans noix / sans cacahuetes.
- No sesame: sans sesame (Darija: bla jinjlan).
- Without gluten / no wheat: sans gluten / sans ble — remember couscous is wheat.
- It makes me very ill: ca me rend tres malade — stresses the seriousness.
Using the phrases effectively
Words alone are not always enough, so combine tactics. For serious allergies, carry a written card in French and Arabic naming your allergen and its severity, and show it every time rather than relying on a rushed spoken exchange that can be lost in translation. Ask for dishes prepared without the ingredient from the start, not picked out afterwards.
Ask how a dish is cooked, not just what is in it — the meat-broth trap is about method. Lean on freshly cooked, made-to-order food you can see prepared, and remember cooking classes and riads let you control ingredients directly. For the wider context, see our food allergies guide, vegetarian guide and gluten-free guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I say I am vegetarian in Morocco?
In French, je ne mange pas de viande (I do not eat meat); in Darija, ma kanakolsh lham. Add no chicken or fish (pas de poulet ni de poisson) and, crucially, no meat broth (sans bouillon de viande), since many vegetable dishes are cooked in stock. Being explicit avoids the common hidden-meat traps.
How do I communicate a food allergy in Darija or French?
In French, je suis allergique aux... and name the allergen (e.g. aux noix for nuts); in Darija, andi hasasiya men... Add that it makes you very ill (ca me rend tres malade). For serious allergies, back up spoken phrases with a written card in French and Arabic and show it at every meal.
What is the most important phrase for hidden ingredients?
Sans bouillon de viande — without meat broth. Many Moroccan vegetable dishes are simmered in meat stock, so this phrase is essential for vegetarians and vegans. Asking how a dish is cooked, not just what is in it, catches this and other hidden ingredients like butter, smen and honey.
Do I need Arabic, or is French enough for dietary needs?
French works almost everywhere in Morocco, so it is usually enough, but a few Darija words earn goodwill and help at smaller, local places. For critical allergies, do not rely on spoken language alone in either tongue — carry a written card in both French and Arabic naming the allergen and its severity.