Translations and Mumbo Jumbo

In my site, I'm living, working, and conversing almost entirely in Moroccan Arabic (Darija) on a daily basis. When you interact with a new language that much, bits and pieces of it creep into your speech, even when speaking (or, in this case, writing) in your native tongue! There are even certain things that I feel are expressed better with their Darija words than with their English translations - perhaps because they're used so often here, or perhaps because they capture the idea more completely.

That being said, you are bound to encounter numerous Darija words while reading this blog. To help you out, here's a list of some of the most common ones with their English translations.

Dar Chebab - Youth Center. This is where I am officially assigned to work, and where I spend a lot of my time.
Nedi Neswi - Women's Center. I will also be working here, insha'allah! Right now there are mainly artisan craft classes at the Nedi Neswi in my town, and I'd love to work with them on doing more!
Hanut - Store. Usually a small shop that sells assorted goods. They are everywhere here.

Dar Talib / Dar Taliba - Boarding house for boys / girls coming to my town for school.
Dar - House / home

Bzef - A lot, very much, so much.

Shwiya - A little bit
Shwiya b shwiya - Little by little

Mzyen - Good

Mushkil - Problem

Meshi Mushkil - No problem
Meshi - General negation word for nouns/adjectives

Zwin - Beautiful / Nice

Shukran - Thank you.
Marhaba - Welcome

Waxa (the x is pronounced like the "ch" in "Bach") - O.K.

Insha'allah - God willing. This is used a lot in Morocco when talking about almost any event that will take place in the future. Sometimes it is used when things are up in the air, as if to say, "If it happens, it happens." Other times, it is used almost the way we might use "hopefully" in English, when you truly want something will happen.
Hamdulilah - Thanks be to God.
Bismillah - In the name of God. Often said at the start of a meal, or at any other time when you might give thanks - drinking tea, opening the door to your office, etc.

And of course, what organization would be complete without bzef acronyms to keep track of? Though the sheer amount seemed crazy initially, I have to admit that I've found using the acronyms to be much easier than typing these things out; that, or I've officially drank the Peace Corps mumbo jumbo kool-aid (and I'm totally OK with that!). Either way, here's a list to help you out:

PC - Peace Corps
PCT - Peace Corps Trainee

PCV - Peace Corps Volunteer
RPCV - Returned Peace Corps Volunteer
PST - Pre-Service Training

CBT - Community-Based Training (during PST)
LCF - Language-Cultural Facilitator

LPI - Language Proficiency Interview

IST - In-Service Training
MSM - Mid-Service Medical Exam

PCMO - Peace Corps Medical Officer
CD - Country Director

YD - Youth Development
COS - Completion of Service

ET - Early Termination
DH - Dirham (Moroccan currency)
HCN - Host Country National
NGO - Non-Governmental Organization
PCPP - Peace Corps Partnership Program
VAC - Volunteer Advisory Council
GAD - Gender and Development
GLOW - Girls Leading Our World