WhatsApp chatbot in Darija: why voice notes change everything
Most chatbots sold to shops were designed for written French or English. But your customer writes "wach kayn livraison l Agadir?", sends a ten-second voice note, then a screenshot of a product seen on Instagram. A WhatsApp chatbot in Darija that understands only one of these three formats lets a large share of requests slip away.
Darija is written in three ways
The same customer can switch between them in one conversation:
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| Arabic letters | بشحال هاد العطر؟ |
| Latin letters and numbers | bch7al had l3tr? |
| Mixed with French | chhal le prix dyal la livraison ? |
A serious chatbot answers in the form the customer used. Replying in classical Arabic to someone who wrote "salam khoya" makes the conversation cold, and the customer feels it at once.
Voice notes: the customers' favourite format
Many customers prefer talking to typing. It is faster, and some are not comfortable writing. A chatbot that answers a voice note with "please type your question" loses that customer.
Understanding a voice note
The agent transcribes the audio, then answers as it would a written message. Transcription is never perfect: a product name can be misheard. A good agent matches what it understood to the closest product in your catalog, and asks when in doubt.
Answering with a voice note
When a customer sends a voice note, it is natural to answer the same way. The voice reply should be in everyday Darija, not classical Arabic read by a sat-nav voice. Always listen to a sample before choosing: it is what gives a robot away fastest.
Photos: "do you have this one?"
- You have it: the agent recognises it, gives the price and sends your photo.
- You do not: the agent says so honestly and offers the closest products.
It works the other way too: a recommendation without a picture rarely convinces, so the agent must be able to send photos.
Five tests before you choose
- Write in Latin-letter Darija with mistakes: does it understand?
- Send a ten-second voice note: does it answer the actual question?
- Send a photo of a product it does not have: does it admit it?
- Ask for something that does not exist (a discount, say): does it invent it?
- Ask to speak to someone: does it alert you?
You can run all five now on the Jawbia demo agent, a fictional perfume shop that runs on a real agent.
And French?
It remains essential. Some of your customers write in French, and many mix the two. The agent should follow the customer's language message by message, without you choosing a setting.
Frequently asked questions
Can a chatbot understand voice notes in Darija?
Yes. The audio is transcribed and then handled like a written message. Quality depends on the solution: test it with your own voice.
Does the chatbot voice sound natural?
It depends on the technology. Some voices read Darija with classical Arabic pronunciation. Always ask to hear a sample.
What happens if the chatbot does not understand?
It should say so simply, ask the customer to rephrase, and alert you if the conversation is stuck.
Does the chatbot also answer in French?
Yes. It answers in the customer's language and style, including when they mix Darija and French.
Watch it answer your own questions
Talk to the demo agent in Darija, by voice note or with a photo. 14 days free on every plan.
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