A guide to useful phrases in Malta

The savvy among you will notice that Maltese takes its cues from a unique mix of Italian and Arabic, thanks to the position on the map that the island occupies. When reading Maltese, think of its pronunciation as very similar to Italian and you’ll find your feet in no time. Don’t worry though as English is one of the official languages of Malta and is widely understood.

Common Maltese phrases

Hello – Hello (Hell-oh)
Good morning – Bongu (Bon-joo)
Good afternoon – Il waranofsinnar it-tajjeb (Ill wah-rah-noffs-in-nar it-tadge-jeb)
Good evening/night – Bonswa (Bons-wah)
Goodbye – Caw (Caw)
How are you? – Kif int? (Kif int)
Fine thanks – Tajjeb grazzi (Tay-yeb grats-ee)
Thank you – Grazzi (Grats-ee)
Excuse me – Skuzi (Skoo-zee)
Do you understand? – Fhimt? (Feemt)
I understand – Fhimt (Feemt)
I don’t understand – M’inix nifhem (Mh-in-icks niff-hem)
Yes – Iva (Ee-vah)
No – Le (Leh)
Maybe – Forsi (For-see)
Do you speak English? – Titkellem bl-Ingliz? (Tit-kell-em bul-ing-liz)
I don’t speak Maltese – Ma nitkellimx bil-Malti (Mah nit-kell-im-cks bill-Mal-tee)
I’m lost – Intlift (Int-lift)

Numbers

One – Wahda (Wah-dah)
Two – Zewg (Zoog)
Three – Tlieta (Tlee-ett-ah)
Four – Erba (Err-bah)
Five – Hamsa (Ham-sah)
Six – Sitta (Sit-tah)
Seven – Seba (Seh-bah)
Eight – Tmien (Tum-ee-en)
Nine – Disa (Dee-sah)
Ten – Ghaxra (Gax-rah)

Out and about

How long does it take to get there? – Kemm iddum biex tasal hemm? (Kemm id-dum bee-ex tass-al hemm)
It’s nearby – Huwa qrib t’hawnhekk (Huh-wah krib tuh-hawn-heck)
It’s far away – Huwa il boghod minn hawn (Huh-wah ill bog-hod minn horn)
Go straight – Ibqa sejjer dritt (Ib-ka sey-yerr dritt)
Beach – Bajja (Badge-jah)
Sea – Bahar (Bah-har)
Bank – Bank (Bank)
Supermarket – Supermarkit (Soo-pah-mar-kit)
Museum – Muzew (Muz-zew)
Cafe – Kafetterija (Kaff-et-ter-ee-yah)
How much is this? – Kemm tiswa din? (Kemm tis-wah din?)
Do you take credit card? – Taccetta karti tal-kreditu? (Tatch-ett-ah kar-tee tal-ked-it-oo)
Cash – Flud kontani (Flud kon-tah-nee)

Eating out

Where’s a good restaurant? – Fejn hemm ristorant tajjeb? (Feyn hemm riss-toh-rant tay-yeb)
Waiter – Wejter (Wey-ter)
It’s delicious – Tassew bnin (Tass-ew buh-nin)
Menu – Menu (Men-oo)
Table – Mejda (Mey-dah)
Food – Ikel (Ikk-ell)
Tips – Tips (Tips)
I’m a vegetarian – Jien vegetarjan (Jee-en vedge-et-arr-yan)
Please can we get the bill? – Tista iggibilna il-kont, jekk joghgbok? (Tiss-tah idge-ib-ill-nah ill-kont jekk jogh-juh-bock)

Food and Drink terms

Salad – Insalata (In-sah-lah-tah)
Bread – Hobz (Hobz)
Spicy – Pikkanti (Pick-ant-ee)
Sweet – Helu (Hell-oo)
Salty – Mielha (Mee-ell-hah)
Breakfast – Kolazzjon (Koll-ats-yon)
Lunch – L-ikla ta’ nofsinhar (Luh-ick-lah tah noff-sin-har)
Dinner – L-ikla ta’ filghaxija (Luh-ick-lah tah fill-gash-ee-hah)
Cheese – Gobon (Jo-bon)
Butter – Butir (Butt-eer)
Coffee – Kafe (Kaff-eh)
Tea – Te (Teh)
Meat – Laham (La-ham)
Chicken – Tigieg (Tidge-ee-eck)
Pizza – Pizza (Peets-ah)
Water – Ilma (Ill-mah)
Sandwich – Sandwic (Sand-witch)
Sugar – Zokkar (Zock-arr)