Want to learn Maltese? Here's a few Maltese phrases to get you started!
It's not necessary to learn Maltese while holidaying in Malta. However, most visitors would still usually like to learn a few Maltese phrases. So if you’d like to learn some Maltese words, read on … The Maltese language (Malti) is a member of the Semitic language group. This group includes Arabic, Hebrew and Amharic. Some believe that Maltese is a descendant of the language that was spoken by the Phoenicians. However, most linguists think that it is related to the Arabic dialects of western North Africa. What makes Maltese hugely different from other semitic languages is the fact that it is the only language that is written in Latin script. Almost everyone in Malta speaks English. English is in fact considered the second language. So if you speak English, you will have no trouble at all to converse with the locals. It’s always nice to try to learn a couple of phrases in the native language of the country that you’re visiting though. In fact, most travelers love to use the local equivalent for essential words like “thank you”, “please”, etc when they're talking to Maltese people.
The Maltese Alphabet
The Maltese alphabet has 29 letters that consist of 5 vowels (as in English) and 24 consonants. Perhaps the hardest thing that visitors usually find is the pronunciation, since it differs from English. Some of the main differences are listed below: ċ as ch in church ġ as in j of jolly ħ as in h of hot ј as in y of yes x as in sh of shoe ż as in z of zebra għ is silent in most cases q is a glottal stop (like the sound in the beginning and middle of “uh-oh”)
Maltese Vocabulary
If you’re an English speaker you will recognize many English words that over the years were assimilated by the locals. This influx of new foreign terms that are integrated into the Maltese language continues to this day. Other words were derived from Italian or Sicilian dialects. You will also recognize a direct French influence too.
Learn Maltese: Basic Conversation
Good Morning … Bonġu Good Evening … Bonswa Goodbye …. Saħħa Yes …. Iva No … Le Please … Jekk jogħġbok Thank you …. Grazzi Excuse me … Skużani How are you? … Kif inti? I’m fine, thank you …. Tajjeb, grazzi (for a man) … Tajba, grazzi (if you’re a woman) Do you speak English? … Titkellem bl-Ingliż? What’s your name? …X’jismek? My Name is …. Jisimni When does the bus leave/arrive? ….. Meta titlaq/tasal ix-xarabank? I’d like to hire a car …. Nixtieq nikri karozza. Today …. Illum Yesterday …. Il-bieraħ Morning …. Filgħodu Afternoon …. Wara nofs in-nhar Evening …. Fl-għaxija
Learn Maltese: Shopping Phrases and Related Words
How much is it? …. Kemm? What time does it open/close? …. Fi x’ħin jiftaħ/jagħlaq? I’d like to buy some … Nixtieq nixtri ftit … Water ... ilma Milk ... ħalib Wine ... inbid Beer ... birra Bread ... ħobż Eggs ... bajd Meat ... laħam Fish ... ħut Fruit ... frott Greens ... ħaxix Sugar ... zokkor Salt ... melħ Coffee ... kafe Tea ... té
Learn Maltese: The Days of the Week
Monday ... It-Tnejn Tuesday ... It-Tlieta Wednesday ... L-Erbgħa Thursday ... Il-Hamis Friday ... Il-Ġimgħa Saturday ... Is-Sibt Sunday ... Il-Hadd
Learn Maltese: The Months
January ... Jannar February ... Frar March ... Marzu April ... April May ... Mejju June ... Ġunju July ... Lulju August ... Awwissu September ... Settembru October ... Ottubru November ... Novembru December ... Diċembru
Have fun practicing your Maltese! :)
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