How to Say Excuse Me in Moroccan Darija
سمح ليا
Smeḥ liya / Smah liya
How to say it
Say it like smaḥ li-ya.
Meaning
Excuse me / sorry
When to use it
Use Smah liya to get someone’s attention, apologise politely or pass through a busy place.
Example conversation
Smah liya, fin kayn l-bab?
When travelling in Morocco, learning a few everyday words of Darija can make simple moments feel more natural. Here is how people commonly use Smeḥ liya / Smah liya.
How to say “Excuse me / sorry” in Moroccan Darija
سمح ليا is written in Moroccan Arabic as سمح ليا. In Latin letters, you may see it written as Smeḥ liya / Smah liya.
Pronunciation: Say it like smaḥ li-ya. The ḥ is a slightly stronger h sound.
What does Smeḥ liya / Smah liya mean?
Excuse me / sorry. Use Smah liya to get someone’s attention, apologise politely or pass through a busy place.
Example in a conversation
Smah liya, fin kayn l-bab? — Excuse me, where is the entrance?
Do not worry about having a perfect accent. A friendly attempt is usually appreciated, especially when you are speaking with local people during your Morocco trip.
Quick summary
Arabic: سمح ليا
Darija: Smeḥ liya / Smah liya
English: Excuse me / sorry