Tashelhit phrasebook - Tashelhit phrasebook

Language areas in Morocco - Tachelhit

Tashelhit or Tachelhit or Shilha (also known as Tasusit) is a Berber language native to Shilha people. It is spoken by more than eight million people in south western Morocco. It is spoken in an area covering c. 100,000 square kilometres, comprising the western part of the High Atlas mountains and the regions to the south up to the Draa River, including the Anti-Atlas and the alluvial basin of the Sous River. The largest urban centres in the area are the coastal city of Agadir (population over 400,000) and the towns of Guelmim, Taroudant, Oulad Teima, Tiznit and Ouarzazate.

Pronunciation guide

Tashelhit has been written with several different alphabets. Historically, the Arabic script has been dominant. Usage of the Latin script emerged in the late 19th century. More recently there has been an initiative to write Shilha in Tifinagh. In this phrasebook we are going to use the latin script to make it easier for new learners.

Vowels

Tashelhit has three vowels: a, i, u. The vowel e is used only as a schwa between two consecutive Letters (we're going to see that in an example), here are the vowels :

A - ah (Like the "a" in "father")

I - ee (Like the "ee" in "see")

U - oo (Like the "oo" in "doom")

Consonants

The following consonants are pronounced the same as in English:

b: like the "b" in "bay"
d: like the "d" in "dog"
f: like the "f" in "fun"
g: like the "g" in "get"
h: like the "h" in "hen"
j: like the "j" in "jam"
k: like the "k" in "kit"
l: like the "l" in "lump"
s: like the "s" in "sun"
t: like the "t" in "tip"
ɣ: like the french "r" in "rouge" (red in french)
w: like the "w" in "win"
y: like the "y" in "yellow"
z: like the "z" in "zebra"
n: like the "n" in "numb"

m: like the "m" in "mop".

x: like the spanish "j"

c: like the sh in "ship"

ḍ: thick English d in "dork" or "door". Emphatic d

ɛ: ‘ayn (voiced equivalent of ḥ, similar to English onomatopoeia for retching)

ḥ: arabic ḥ in Muḥammad (stronger than h, similar to English onomatopoeia for being cold)

ṣ: thick English s as in "sold". Emphatic s

ṭ: thick English "t" in "toll". Emphatic t

ẓ: thick English "z" in "Zorro". Emphatic z

If you still have difficulties with the letters or pronunciation, you can read the whole article about Berber Latin alphabet the in Wikipedia.wikipedia:Berber_Latin_alphabet

Phrase list

Basics

Good Morning: Tifawin
Hello. (informal): Azul
How are you?: Manik ann tgit?
Fine, thank you.: Bixir, ak isrbḥ rbbi
What is your name?: Ma tgit s yism?
My name is ______ .: Ism inu ___ / Ism iyi ___.
Please.: Irbbi
Thank you.: Tanmmirt.
Welcome.: Brrk.
Yes.: Yah.
No.: Uhu.
Excuse me. (getting attention): Surf iyi / Samḥ iyi
Goodbye: Ak yaws rbbi
Goodbye (informal): Hakinn (male) / Hakminn (female)
I don't speak tashelhit [well].: Ur bahra ssnɣ i tclḥit
Do you speak English?: Is tssnt ad tsawalt tanglizt?
Is there someone here who speaks English?: Is illa kran yan ɣi issn i tnglizt?
Help me: Aws iyi
Look out!: Ɛndak
Good morning.: Tifawin
Good evening.: Timkliwin
Good night: Timnsiwin
I don't understand what you are saying.: Ur ukzɣ mad ttinit
Where is the toilet?: Ma ɣ tlla bitlma?

Problems

Leave me alone.: Ajjiyi waḥduyyi
Don't touch me!: Ay'ur tslit
I'll call the police.: Rad ɣrɣ i lbulis
Police!: Bulis!
Stop! Thief!: Bidd! Amxxar!
I need your help.: Ḥtajjaɣ-k ad yi tawst.
I'm lost.: Jliɣ
I lost my bag.: Ijla yi ssak inu
I lost my wallet.: Ijla yi lbẓḍam inu
I'm sick.: hrcɣ / uḍnɣ
I need a doctor.: Ixṣṣa yi uḍbib
Can I use your phone?: Is ẓḍarɣ ad stɛmlɣ ttilifun nnk?

Numbers

1: Yan
2: Sin
3: Kraḍ
4: Kkuẓ
5: Smmus
6: Sḍiṣ
7: Sa
8: Tam
9: Tẓa
10: Mraw
11: Yan d mraw
12: Sin d mraw
13: Kraḍ d mraw
14: Kkuẓ d mraw
15: Smmus d mraw
16: Sḍiṣ d mraw
17: Sa d mraw
18: Tam d mraw
19: Tẓa d mraw
half: Azgn
less: Idrus
more: Uggar

Time

now: Ɣilad
later: Arkiɣ
before: Qbl
morning: Taṣbḥit
afternoon: Tazzwit
evening: Tadggwat
night: Diyiḍ

Clock time

one o'clock AM: Lwḥda n diyiḍ
two o'clock AM: Jjuj n diyiḍ
noon: Azal
one o'clock PM: Lwḥda n uzal
two o'clock PM: Jjuj n uzal
midnight: Tuẓẓumt n diyiḍ

Duration

_____ minute(s): tusdidt / tusdidin (plr)
_____ hour(s): tassaɛt / tassaɛin (plr)
_____ day(s): wass / ussan (plr)
_____ week(s): imalass / imalassn (plr)
_____ month(s): wayyur / iyyirn (plr)
_____ year(s): usggwas / isggwasn (plr)

Days

today: Ɣassad
yesterday: Idgam; Igḍam; Gamlli
tomorrow: Azkka; Ṣbaḥ
this week: Imalass ad
last week: Imalass ad lli izrin
next week: Imalass lli d yuckan

Sunday: Lḥdd
Monday: Ltnin
Tuesday: Ṭṭlaṭa
Wednesday: Lɛrba
Thursday: Lxmis
Friday: Ljamɛ
Saturday: Ssbt

Months

January: Yanayr
February: Fibrayr
March: Mars
April: Abril
May: May
June: Yunyu
July: Yulyuz
August: Ɣuct
September: Cutanbir
October: Uktubr
November: Nuwanbir
December: Dijanbir

Colors

black: asggan
white: umlil
red: azuggaɣ
blue: aẓrwal (some times we use "azgzaw" also to mean blue)
yellow: awraɣ
green: azgzaw
orange: altcin

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?: Mnck atskar tawriqt i _____?
One ticket to _____, please.: Irbbi bbi yat tuwriqt i _____.
Where does this train/bus go?: Mani sa ittdda tran/ṭubis ad?
Where is the train/bus to _____?: Ma ɣ illa tran/ṭubis lli ttddan s _____?
Does this train/bus stop in _____?: Is ar isras tran/ṭubis ad ɣ _____?
When does the train/bus for _____ leave?: Manag ar izzigiz tran/ṭubis lli tddan s _____?
When will this train/bus arrive in _____?: Manag ar ad ilkm tran/ṭubis ad s _____?

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?: Man uɣaras a rad kkɣ iɣ riɣ _____ ?
...the train station?: ...lagar n tran?
...the bus station?: ...asrs n ṭubis?
...the airport?: ...azagʷz ? (but we usually use the arabic word "lmaṭar")
...downtown?: ...tuẓẓumt n lmdint?
...the youth hostel?: ...asnsu n iɛrrimn?
...the _____ hotel?: ...asnsu n _____? (but we usually use the french word "Luṭil" for hotel)
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?: ...Lqunṣulya n Mirikan/Kanaḍa/Nngliz?
Where are there a lot of...: Mani ɣ llan tugtt n...
...hotels?: ...isnsa? (but we usually use the french word "Luṭilat" for hotels)
...restaurants?: ...tisiram? (but we usually use the french word "Riṣṭuyat" for restaurants)
...bars?: ...biran?
...sites to see?: ...idɣarn ifulkin ma nẓrra ?
Can you show me on the map?: Is tẓḍart ad yi tmlt ɣ Lmap
street: tsukt
Turn left.: Ḍuwr ɣ ufasi.
Turn right.: Ḍuwr ɣ uẓlmaḍ.
left: afasi
right: aẓlmaḍ
straight ahead: nican
towards the _____: nnawaḥi n _____
past the _____: iɣ tzrit _____
before the _____: qbl ad tlkmt s _____
north: agafa
south: iffus
east: agmuḍ
west: ataram

Taxi

Taxi!: Taksi!
Take me to _____, please.: Awi yi s _____, ak isrbḥ rbbi.
How much does it cost to get to _____?: S mnck as ra yi tslkmt s _____?
Take me there, please.: Awi yi s ɣin, ak isrbḥ rbbi.

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: Is xwan darun kran iḥuna?
How much is a room for one person/two people?: Mnck ay skar aḥanu i yan/sin middn?
Does the room come with...: Is illa ɣ uḥanu ...
...bedsheets?: ...tfrṣaḍin?
...a bathroom?: ...bit lma?
...a telephone?: ...ttilifun?
...a TV?: ...ttlfaza?
May I see the room first?: Is ẓḍarɣ ad zwar ẓrɣ uḥanu manik ayga ?
Do you have anything quieter?: Is ẓḍarɣ ad darun afɣ kran uḥanu .... nna ɣ ur illi ṣṣḍaɛ?
...bigger?: ...imqqurn?
...cleaner?: ...iɣusn?
...cheaper?: ...irxṣn?
OK, I'll take it.: Waxxa, rast awiɣ.
I will stay for _____ night(s).: Rad gis ɣumuɣ _____ yiḍan.
Can you suggest another hotel?: Is tẓḍart ayi tnɛtt kran luṭil yaḍn?
Is breakfast/supper included?: Is gis ikcm lfḍur?
What time is breakfast/supper?: Manag aɣ ittili lfḍur?
Please clean my room.: Irbbi, sɣus uḥanu.
Can you wake me at _____?: Is tẓḍart ayi tsnkrt ɣ _____?
I want to check out.: Riɣ ad ẓrɣ.

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: Is a ttamẓt ddular n Mirikan/Ustralya/Kanaḍa?
Do you accept British pounds?: Is a ttamẓt iqariḍn n Nngliz?
Do you accept euros?: Is a ttamẓt luru?
Do you accept credit cards?: Is a ttqbalt ad xlsɣ s lakarṭ?
Can you change money for me?: Is tẓḍart ayi tsbadlt iqariḍn?
Where can I get money changed?: Mani ɣ ẓḍarɣ ad sbadlɣ iqariḍn?

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.: Yat ṭṭbla i yan/sin middn, ak isrbḥ rbbi.
Can I look at the menu, please?: Is ẓḍarɣ ad ẓrɣ lmenu, ak isrbḥ rbbi.
Can I look in the kitchen?: Is ẓḍarɣ ad ẓrɣ unwal?
I'm a vegetarian.: Ur aɣ cttaɣ tifiyya.
I don't eat pork.: Ur aɣ cttaɣ lḥlluf.
I don't eat beef.: Ur aɣ cttaɣ afunas.
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard): Is tufit ad as ur tsuggt lidam?
fixed-price meal: tirmt iṭṭafn yan atig
breakfast: lfḍur
lunch: imkli
tea (meal): atay
supper: azkkif
I want _____.: Riɣ _____.
I want a dish containing _____.: Riɣ kran tirmt agis tili _____.
chicken: afullus
beef: afunas
fish: aslm
cheese: lfrmaj
eggs: tiglay
salad: claḍa
(fresh) vegetables: lxḍrt
bread: aɣrum
noodles: cɛrya
rice: rruz
lentil: tilintit
May I have a glass of _____?: Is tẓḍart ayi tfkt yan lkass n _____?
May I have a bottle of _____?: Is tẓḍart ayi tfkt yat tqrɛit n _____?
coffee: lqhwa
tea (drink): atay
juice: ɛaṣir
water: aman
beer: birra
red/white wine: aman waḍil azuggaɣ/umlil
May I have some _____?: Is tẓḍart ayi tfkt imik n _____?
salt: tisnt
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): Surf yi, a y-afrux?
I'm finished.: Kmlɣ
It was delicious.: Immim lxir ad.
Please clear the plates.: Irbbi smun ifckan.

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: Is darun illa ccrab?
Is there table service?: Is tlla kran ṭṭbla ixwan?
A beer/two beers, please.: Yat/snat lbirrat, ak isrbḥ rbbi.
A glass of red/white wine, please.: Yan lkass n aman waḍil azuggaɣ/umlil, ak isrbḥ rbbi.
A bottle, please.: Yat tqrɛit, ak isrbḥ rbbi.
whiskey: wiski
vodka: vudka
water: aman
orange juice: lɛaṣir n llimun
Coke (soda): Kuka kula
Do you have any bar snacks?: Is darun snakat?
One more, please.: Zaydiyi, ak isrbḥ rbbi.
Another round, please.: Yan ṭṭrḥ yaḍn, ak isrbḥ rbbi.
When is closing time?: Manag ad tqqnm?
Cheers!: Bsaḥtk

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: Is tlla tagadda niw?
How much is this?: Mnck ay skar?
That's too expensive.: Iɣla lxir ad
Would you take _____?: Is ra dari tamẓt _____?
expensive: iɣla
cheap: irxṣ
I can't afford it.: ur ẓḍarɣ ast sɣ.
I don't want it.: ur tt riɣ.
You're cheating me.: Trit ad flli tnṣbt.
I'm not interested.: Wa ur tt riɣ uu.
OK, I'll take it.: Waxxa, rast awiɣ
Can I have a bag?: Is dark kran lmikka?
I need...: Ḥtajjaɣ...
...toothpaste.: ...ḍuntifris.
...a toothbrush.: ...ccita n ixsan
...soap.: ...taṣṣabunt.
...shampoo.: ...ccampwan.
...medicine.: ... asafar
...a razor.: ...riẓwar
...batteries.: ...lbatri
...paper.: ...tawriqt
...a pen.: ...stilu
...English-language books.: ...idlisn n tanglizt
...an English-English dictionary.: ...imawaln n tanglizt s tanglizt

Driving

I want to rent a car.: Riɣ ad kruɣ ṭṭanubil.
Can I get insurance?: Is ẓḍarɣ ad skrɣ lasiranṣ?
stop (on a street sign): bidd
one way: yan uɣaras
no parking: war lparking
petrol: liṣanṣ
diesel: lmaẓuṭ

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.: Ur skrɣ may hrcn.
It was a misunderstanding.: Is ka ur nttfihim.
Where are you taking me?: Ma sri trit?
Am I under arrest?: Is yi tumẓm
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.: Giɣ Amirikani/Anglizi/Akanaḍi.
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.: Riɣ ad sawlɣ s uqunṣul n Marikan/Nngliz/Kanaḍa.
I want to talk to a lawyer.: Riɣ ad sawlɣ s lmuḥami.
Can I just pay a fine now?: Is ẓḍarɣ akka xlṣɣ ma flli illan ɣilad?

This Tashelhit phrasebook is a usable article. It explains pronunciation and the bare essentials of travel communication. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page .