Tashelhit or Tachelhit or Shilha (also known as Tasusit) is an indigenous 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, Demnate, Tiznit and Ouarzazate.

Language areas in Morocco - Tachelhit

Tashelhit is an Amazigh ("Berber") language- The use of the term "Berber" is offensive to those which it is applied, as it is derived from the French word "Barbere" for barbaric.

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 Tashelhit 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 in Wikipedia. wikipedia:Berber_Latin_alphabet

Phrase list

Basics

Good Morning

Tifawin

Hello. (informal)

Ssalam (most used one) / Ssalamu Ɛalaykum / Azul

How are you?

Manik a nn-tgit?

Fine, thank you.

Bixir, ak isrbḥ rbbi

What is your name?

Mad ak ism? (male) / Mad am ism? (female)

My name is ______ .

Ism inu ___ / Ism iyi ___.

Please.

I rbbi

Thank you.

Tanmmirt.

Welcome.

Brrk.

Yes.

Yah.

No.

Uhu.

Excuse me. (getting attention)

Surf iyi / Samḥ iyi / Samḥ as

Goodbye

A kk-iɛawn rbbi / A kk-yaws rbbi

Goodbye (informal)

Ha-k-inn (male) / Ha-km-inn (female)

I don't speak tashelhit [well].

Ur bahra ssnɣ taclḥit

Do you speak English?

Is tssnt tanglizit? / Ar tsawalt tanglizit?

Is there someone here who speaks English?

Is illa ɣid kra n yan issnn tnglizit?

Help me

Aws iyi / Ɛawn iyi

Look out!

Ɛndak!

Good morning.

Tifawin

Good evening.

Timkliwin

Good night

Timnsiwin

I don't understand what you are saying.

Ur ssinɣ ma ttinit.

Where is the toilet?

Mani ɣ illa toilette?

Problems

Leave me alone.

Ajj iyi waḥdu iyi / itti nn gigi / fk iyi ttisaɛ

Don't touch me!

Ad iyi ur tslit (pronounced: Ayyur 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

Qell

more

Uggar

Time

now

Ɣilad

later

Ar kiɣ

before

Qbl

morning

Taṣbḥit

afternoon

Tazdwit

evening

Tadggʷat

night

Yiḍ / Diyiḍ

Clock time

one o'clock AM

Yan wama n diyiḍ

two o'clock AM

Tis snat n diyiḍ

noon

Azal

one o'clock PM

Yat wama n tdggʷat

two o'clock PM

Tis snat wama n tdggʷat

midnight

Tuẓẓumt n diyiḍ

Duration

_____ minute(s)

ddqiqt / ddqiqa (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

Iḍgam

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

azṛqi (some times we use "azgzaw" "aẓṛwal" also to mean blue)

yellow

awraɣ

green

azgzaw

orange

altcin

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?

Mnck ad tskar tawriqt s _____?

One ticket to _____, please.

I rbbi bbi yat tuwriqt s _____.

Where does this train/bus go?

Mani ira ttran/ṭṭubis ad?

Where is the train/bus to _____?

Mani ɣ illa ttran/ṭṭubis lli ttddan s _____?

Does this train/bus stop in _____?

Is ar isras ttran/ṭṭubis ad ɣ _____?

When does the train/bus for _____ leave?

Managu a rad izzigiz ttran/ṭṭubis lli ttddan s _____?

When will this train/bus arrive in _____?

Managu a rad ilkm ttran/ṭṭubis ad s _____?

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?

Man aɣaras a rad kkɣ iɣ riɣ _____ ?

...the train station?

...lagar n ttran?

...the bus station?

...lblaka n ṭubis?

...the airport?

...lmaṭar?

...downtown?

...tuẓẓumt n lmdint?

...the youth hostel?

...Luṭil n iɛrrimn?

...the _____ hotel?

...Luṭil n _____?

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?

...Lqunṣulya n Mirikan/Kanaḍa/Nngliz?

Where are there a lot of...

Mani ɣ llan tugtt n...

...hotels?

...luṭilat?

...restaurants?

...riṣṭuyat?

...bars?

...lbiran?

...sites to see?

...idɣarn ifulkin ma nẓrra ?

Can you show me on the map?

Is tẓḍart ad iyi tmlt ɣ Lxariṭa?

street

tsukt

Turn left.

Ḍuwr f ufasi.

Turn right.

Ḍuwr f uẓlmaḍ.

left

afasi

right

aẓlmaḍ

straight ahead

nnican

towards the _____

nnawaḥi n _____

past the _____

iɣ tzrit _____

before the _____

qbl ad tlkmt s _____

north

iẓẓlmḍ

south

iffus

east

lqblt

west

tagut

Taxi

Taxi!

Taksi!

Take me to _____, please.

Awi iyi s _____, Ɛafak.

How much does it cost to get to _____?

S mnck as rad iyi tsslkmt s _____?

Take me there, please.

Awi iyi s ɣinn, Ɛafak.

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?

Is xwan darun kra n ccumbṛat?

How much is a room for one person/two people?

Mnck ad tskar ccumbṛ i yan/sin middn?

Does the room come with...

Is illa ɣ ccumbṛ ...

...bedsheets?

...tfrṣaḍin?

...a bathroom?

...bitlma?

...a telephone?

...ttilifun?

...a TV?

...ttlfaza?

May I see the room first?

Is ẓḍarɣ ad zwar ẓrɣ ccumbṛ manik ad tga ?

Do you have anything quieter?

Is ẓḍarɣ ad darun afɣ kra yaḍn nna ɣ ur illi ṣṣḍaɛ?

...bigger?

...imqqurn?

...cleaner?

...iɣusn?

...cheaper?

...irxṣn?

OK, I'll take it.

Waxxa, rad t awiɣ.

I will stay for _____ night(s).

Rad gis ɣumuɣ _____ waḍan.

Can you suggest another hotel?

Is tẓḍart ad iyi tnɛtt kra n luṭil yaḍn?

Is breakfast/supper included?

Is gis ikcm lfḍur?

What time is breakfast/supper?

Managu aɣ ittili lfḍur?

Please clean my room.

Irbbi, sɣus ccumbṛ.

Can you wake me at _____?

Is tẓḍart ad iyi 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 anwal?

I'm a vegetarian.

Ur a cttaɣ tifiyi.

I don't eat pork.

Ur a cttaɣ lḥlluf.

I don't eat beef.

Ur a 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 watig

breakfast

lfḍur

lunch

imkli

supper

awzwit

dinner

imnsi

tea (meal)

atay

soup

azkkif

I want _____.

Riɣ _____.

I want a dish containing _____.

Riɣ kra n tirmt a gis yili _____.

chicken

afullus

beef

afunas

fish

aslm

cheese

lfrmaj

eggs

tiglay

salad

claḍa

vegetables

lxḍrt

bread

aɣrum

noodles

cɛriyya

rice

rruz

lentil

tilintit

May I have a glass of _____?

Is tẓḍart a iyi tfkt yan lkass n _____?

May I have a bottle of _____?

Is tẓḍart a iyi 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 gʷma?

I'm finished.

Kmlɣ

It was delicious.

Immim lxir ad.

Please clear the plates.

I rbbi smun irukutn.

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?

Is illa darun ccrab?

Is there table service?

Is tlla kran ṭṭbla ixwan?

A beer/two beers, please.

Yat lbirra/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 wuxsan

...soap.

...taṣṣabunt.

...shampoo.

...ccampwan.

...medicine.

... asafar.

...a razor.

...riẓwar.

...batteries.

...lbatri.

...paper.

...tawriqt.

...a pen.

...stilu.

...English-language books.

...idlisn n tanglizit.

...an English-English dictionary.

...imawaln n tanglizt s tanglizt.

Driving

I want to rent a car.

Riɣ ad kruɣ kra n 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 ma ihrcn.

It was a misunderstanding.

Is ka ur nttfihim.

Where are you taking me?

Ma sri trit?

Am I under arrest?

Is ttyamaẓɣ

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 ad ka xlṣɣ lxṭiyt ɣilad?