In this lesson, we will see the rule of the feminine form in Darija applied for Words and Adjectives.

At the end of this course, there is a list of masculine nouns and adjectives in Moroccan Arabic to turn into feminine form.

Feminine in Standard Arabic

The  “ a” at the end of a feminine word in standard Arabic, represents a silent “ ta2 marbouta  تاء مربوطة ”  which is literally not pronounced.

We never say “ Saghiraton = Small ” = صغيرة  or “ jamilaton = Beautiful ” = جميلة. we just say “ Saghira ”  and “ jamila ”.

Feminine Form in DARIJA

In most cases, to have a feminine form, you just add “ a ” to the end of the masculine form.

The formula is Feminine = Masculine  +  “ a ” at the end of the word (Adjective or Noun).

Examples of nouns with a Feminine form

Moroccan : Maghribi ( M ) – Maghribia ( F )

American : Mirikani ( M ) – Mirikania ( F )

Japanese : Japoni ( M ) – Japonia ( F )

Chinese : Chinwi ( M ) – Chinwia ( F )

Tunisian :  Tounsi ( M ) – Tounsia ( F )

Doctor : Tbib ( M )  – Tbiba ( F )

Nurse :  Fermli ( M )  – Fermlia ( F )

Teacher : Ostad  ( M )  – Ostada ( F )

Cook : Tbbakh ( M )  – Tbbakha ( F )

Lawyer : Mo7ami ( M ) –  Mo7amia ( F )

Check more Occupations in this link : Jobs & occupation in DARIJA

Examples of Adjectives with a Feminine form

Tired : 3yan ( M ) – 3yana ( F )

Happy : Fr7an  ( M ) – Fr7ana ( F )

Shy : 7chman ( M ) – 7chmana ( F )

Small : Sghir ( M ) – Sghira ( F )

Big : Kbir ( M ) – Kbira ( F )

Feminine Gender without ” a ” in the end

In Moroccan Arabic, there are some exceptions because not all feminine words end with “ a ”.

Examples :

• Dar ( House ) 
• 3in ( Eye ) 
• Wden ( Ear ) 
• Rjel ( Foot )

Exercise to Practice :

Turn the following masculine words into a feminine form and leave your answers in the comments section bellow.

Journalist: Sa7afi

Tourist : Sa2i7

Ugly/Bad: Khayb

Tall: Twil

Short : 9sir

Small : Sghir

Afraid: Khayf

Sick : Mrid

Happy : Far7an

New : Jdid

Egyptian : Misri

Syrian : Souri

Algerian : Jazayri

Tunisian : Tounsi

Beautiful : Zwin

Check our complete course about Moroccan Arabic on Udemy.