la bas لا باس

Moroccan Darija · expression

“la bas” (لا باس) is an expression in Moroccan Darija meaning fine, I'm well.

Meanings

1. fine, I'm well
2. how are you? (greeting)
3. no problem, it's nothing

Usage

Labas is the most common greeting in Morocco. Said with a rising intonation, it works as a question ("labas?", "labas 3lik?"); the answer is "labas, l7amdoulillah". It is also used to reassure someone after an incident, in the sense of "it's not serious". In "wach labas?", it can convey real concern: "is everything all right?". The word is often written as a single block online. It is used in all registers, from family to professional settings.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “la bas” but also “la bass”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Type “la bas” on the Arabic keyboard

In Algerian Darja

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Algerian Darja, where it means “fine, all good”; “no problem, never mind”: la bas in Algerian.

In Tunisian Derja

Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “fine, well”; “well-off, comfortable financially”: la bes in Tunisian.