The short answer
Say 'shukran' (SHOOK-ran). 'Shukran bezzaf' means thank you very much. You will also hear 'baraka llahu fik', literally God bless you, in reply to a kindness or a compliment. And 'la, shukran', no thank you, is the most useful phrase in the souks: the polite way to turn down a vendor or a would-be guide.
In more detail
'Shukran' comes straight from Modern Standard Arabic and is understood everywhere in Morocco. Use it often: to the riad staff, the taxi driver, the shopkeeper who pours you tea, the stranger who points you the right way.
'La, shukran' works best said once, with a smile, while you keep walking. You don't owe anyone a longer explanation, and a long reply, friendly or sharp, tends to keep the conversation going rather than end it.
In French-speaking settings, 'merci' does the same job, and you will hear Marrakchis mixing both.
Pair it with 'bslama' (goodbye) as you leave a shop, a taxi or a home. A thank you and goodbye on the way out, even when you bought nothing, is noticed, and it makes the next walk past that stall easier.
Good to know
- Shukran: thank you.
- Shukran bezzaf: thank you very much.
- La, shukran: no, thank you.
- Safi: enough, that's it.