In this lesson, you will learn about the feminine form in Moroccan Arabic.

We will first explain the simple rule to apply in order to form a feminine in Moroccan Arabic.

After that, you will find an exercise to practice turning masculine nouns and adjectives into feminine ones in Darija.

Don’t forget to check other Moroccan Arabic grammar lessons over here.

Check out also Moroccan Darija vocabulary lists here.

The One Rule for the Feminine Form in Moroccan Arabic

To form a feminine, add “a” to the end of the masculine adjective or noun.

In a simple formula: Feminine = Masculine + “a” ending.

Examples of Feminine Words in Moroccan Darija

Note on Feminine Words in Moroccan Arabic

In Moroccan Arabic, not all feminine words end with an “a” by default.

Some body parts, for example, don’t follow this rule but are still feminine words:

• Eye: 3in: عين
• Ear: Wden: ودن
• Hand: Id / Yed: يد / إيد
• Foot: Rjel: رجل

Check the full list of body parts vocabulary in Moroccan Arabic.

Note for Modern Standard Arabic Learners

The Moroccan Arabic feminine ending “a” is basically just a silent “ta2 marbutah” تاء مربوطة.

In all spoken Arabic dialects, literally no one pronounces the “ta2 marbutah” تاء مربوطة.

You will never hear someone say “kabiratun” كبيرة or “jamilatun” جميلة. They just say “kabira” كبيرة and “jamila” جميلة.

Exercise – Feminine Form in Moroccan Arabic

Give the feminine form of the following masculine words:

• Director: Modir: مدير
• Algerian: Jazayri: جزايري
• Ugly/Bad: Khayb: خايب
• Tall: Twil: طويل
• Afraid: Khayf: خايف
• Egyptian: Misri: مصري
• Saudi: Sa3odi: سعودي
• Student: Telmid: تلميد
• Journalist: Sa7afi: صحفي
• New: Jdid: جديد

Once done with the exercise, you can scroll down for the solutions.

Exercise Solutions – Feminine Form in Moroccan Arabic

Below are the feminine forms of the above-listed masculine words:

• Director: Modira: مديرة
• Algerian: Jazayria: جزايرية
• Ugly/Bad: Khayba: خايبة
• Tall: Twila: طويلة
• Afraid: Khayfa: خايفة
• Egyptian: Misria: مصرية
• Saudi: Sa3odia: سعودية
• Student: Telmida: تلميدة
• Journalist: Sa7afia: صحفية
• New: Jdida: جديدة

You can continue with other Speak Moroccan material in “Moroccan Arabic – Unit 3”.

Or carry on to other Moroccan Darija materials.

Do you want to practice Moroccan Arabic and work on more Darija exercises?

Head over to Speak Moroccan Forums.