Maltese phrases – Here you will find the most common phrases in Maltese with translation. | Free & useful
Maltese phrases are short expressions or idioms often used in speech to be polite, express gratitude, greet or say goodbye or simply to have a pleasant conversation.
They are an important part of Maltese culture and can be useful in different situations, both in private and business life.
Maltese phrases you should know
OUR TIP: If you want to learn these phrases interactively, we recommend the free language course demo from 17-Minute-Language, where you can learn Maltese phrases and dialogues today.
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Greet someone in Maltese
If you want to greet someone in Maltese, it’s actually quite easy:
| English | Maltese | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome to the site. | Merħba fis-sit. | [ˈmɛrħa ba fɪs sɪt] |
| Welcome to the site | Merħba fis-sit | [ˈmɛrħa ba fɪs sɪt] |
| Good day to you! | Il-ġurnata t-tajba lilek! | [ɪl d͡ʒʊrˈnaː ta ˈtaj ba ˈlɪː lɛk] |
| Good morning to you! | L-għodwa t-tajba lilek! | [lˈʔɔd wa ˈtaj ba ˈlɪː lɛk] |
| Good evening! | Il-lejla t-tajba! | [ɪl ˈlɛj la ˈtaj ba] |
| Good to see you. | Tajjeb li narak. | [ˈtaj jɛb lɪ naˈraːk] |
| I’m glad to see you. | Inħossni kuntent li narak. | [ɪnˈħɔs.nɪ kunˈtɛnt lɪ naˈraːk] |
If you are greeted in Maltese, the best way to respond is as follows:
| English | Maltese | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Have a nice day too! | Il-ġurnata t-tajba wkoll lilek! | [ɪl d͡ʒʊrˈnaːta ˈtaj ba ˈwɔkɔlt ˈlɪːlɛk] |
| Thanks, it’s nice to see you too. | Grazzi, sabiħ li narak ukoll. | [ˈɡrat͡tsi saˈbɪːħ lɪ naˈraːk ˈwɔkɔl] |
How is my dialogue partner?
As in any other country, it is polite to start by asking where the person you are talking to is located. Here’s how you do it:
| English | Maltese | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| How are you doing? | Kif inti? | [kɪf ˈɪn.tɪ] |
| Are you doing well? | Inti tajjeb? | [ˈɪn.tɪ ˈtaj.jɛb] |
If you are asked how you feel, you can answer with the following phrases:
| English | Maltese | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Thank you for asking, I am fine. | Grazzi talli staqsejt, jien tajjeb. | [ˈɡrat.t͡si ˈtal.li staʔˈsɛjt ˈjiːɛn ˈtaj.jɛb] |
| Thank you, I am fine. | Grazzi, jien tajjeb. | [ˈɡrat.t͡si ˈjiːɛn ˈtaj.jɛb] |
| Thank you, I am not doing so well. | Grazzi, mhux għaddej daqshekk tajjeb. | [ˈɡrat.t͡si ˈmuʃ ʔadˈdej daʔsˈsɛk ˈtaj.jɛb] |
| Thanks, I’m fine. How are you doing? | Grazzi, jien tajjeb. Kif inti? | [ˈɡrat.t͡si ˈjiːɛn ˈtaj.jɛb | kɪf ˈɪn.tɪ] |
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How do I say goodbye to someone in Maltese?
Saying goodbye to a friend or stranger in Maltese is not that difficult. Just use the following phrases:
| English | Maltese | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Goodbye! | Ċaw! | [ˈt͡ʃaʊ] |
| Take care of yourself! | Saħħa! | [ˈsaħ.sa] |
| Goodbye | Saħħa | [ˈsaħ.sa] |
| See you tomorrow | Narak għada | [ˈna.rak ˈʔa.da] |
| See you soon | Narak dalwaqt | [ˈna.rak dal.ˈwaʔt] |
| See you later | Narak iktar tard | [ˈna.rak ˈɪk.tar ˈtard] |
| Good night | Il-lejl it-tajjeb | [ɪl ˈlɛjl ɪt ˈtaj.jɛb] |
| Sleep well | Oħlom sabiħ | [ˈɔħ.lɔm sa.ˈbiːħ] |
| Talk to you later | Nitkellmu iktar tard | [nɪtˈkɛl.mu ˈɪk.tar ˈtard] |
| Nice to have met you! | Għandi pjaċir niltaqa’ miegħek! | [ˈʔan.di pjaˈt͡ʃiːr nɪlˈta.ʔa ˈmiː.jɛk] |
How do I introduce myself in Maltese?
When travelling in Malta, sooner or later you will come into contact with local people. Naturally, you’ll want to introduce yourself in Maltese and know who you’re talking to.
| English | Maltese | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| My name is Jonas. | Jisimni Jonas. | [ˈjɪsɪmnɪ ˈjoːnas] |
| What is your name? | X’jismek? | [ʃɪsˈmɛk] |
| What is your surname? | X’inhu kunjomok? | [ʃˈɪn.u kunˈjɔːmɔk] |
| What is your first name? | X’inhu l-isem tiegħek? | [ʃˈɪn.u lˈɪ.sɛm ˈtaj.jɛk] |
| What is your surname? | X’inhu l-kunjom tiegħek? | [ʃˈɪn.u lˈkun.jɔm ˈtaj.jɛk] |
If you want to tell people where you come from, the following sentences are useful:
| English | Maltese | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Where do you come from? | Minn fejn ġej? | [mɪn ˈfejn d͡ʒɛj] |
| I am from London. | Jien minn Londra. | [ˈjiɛn mɪn ˈlɔn.dra] |
| Are you from Birmingham? | Int minn Birmingham? | [ˈɪnt mɪn ˈbɪɾ.mɪŋ.ɛm] |
| No, I’m from Madrid. | Le, jien minn Madrid. | [ˈlɛ ˈjiɛn mɪn maˈdɾɪd] |
| Great, I’m from Madrid too. | Kbir! Jien ukoll minn Madrid. | [kˈbɪːr ˈjiɛn ʊˈkɔl mɪn maˈdɾɪd] |
| Where do you live? | Fejn toqgħod? | [ˈfejn ˈtɔʔ.ɔd] |
| I live in Berlin. | Jien noqgħod Berlin. | [ˈjiɛn ˈnɔʔ.ɔd bɛɾˈliːn] |
If you have problems with your Maltese, it is good to know which languages are still spoken:
| English | Maltese | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Do you speak English? | Tkellem bl-Ingliż? | [tˈkɛl.lɛm bl ɪnˈɡliːz] |
| Yes, I speak English. | Iva, nitkellem bl-Ingliż. | [ˈiː.va nɪtˈkɛl.lɛm bl ɪnˈɡliːz] |
| Yes, I speak some English. | Iva, nitkellem ftit bl-Ingliż. | [ˈiː.va nɪtˈkɛl.lɛm ftit bl ɪnˈɡliːz] |
| No, I do not speak any English. | Le, ma nitkellimx bl-Ingliż. | [ˈlɛ ma nɪtˈkɛl.lɪmʃ bl ɪnˈɡliːz] |
| I only speak English. | Nitkellem biss bl-Ingliż. | [nɪtˈkɛl.lɛm bɪs bl ɪnˈɡliːz] |
| I understand some Maltese. | Nifhem ftit Malti. | [ˈnɪf.ɛm ftit ˈmal.tɪ] |
Useful sentences with ‘I am…’
The following sentences will help you orientate yourself in Maltese and express your wishes and concerns:
| English | Maltese | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| I am English. | Jien Ingliż. | [ˈjiɛn ɪnˈɡliːz] |
| I am injured. | Jien imweġġaʼ. | [ˈjiɛn ɪmˈwɛd͡ʒ.ja] |
| I am here. | Jien hawn. | [ˈjiɛn haʊn] |
| I am hungry. | Għandi l-ġuħ. | [ˈʔan.dɪl ˈd͡ʒuːħ] |
| I am thirsty. | Għandi l-għatx. | [ˈʔan.dɪl ˈʔat͡ʃ] |
| I am a single person. | Jien waħdi. | [ˈjiɛn ˈwaħ.dɪ] |
| I need help! | Għandi bżonn għajnuna! | [ˈʔan.dɪ bˈzɔn ˈʔaj.nu.na] |
| I am tired. | Jien għajjien. | [ˈjiɛn ʔajˈjɛn] |
| I am happy. | Jien kuntent. | [ˈjiɛn kunˈtɛnt] |
| I am sad. | Jien imdejjaq. | [ˈjiɛn ɪmˈdɛj.jaq] |
| I am in love. | Jien nħobb. | [ˈjiɛn nˈħɔbː] |
| I am ill. | Jien marid. | [ˈjiɛn maˈrid] |
| I am ready. | Jien lest. | [ˈjiɛn lɛst] |
| I am busy. | Jien okkupat. | [ˈjiɛn ɔk.kuˈpat] |
| I am lost. | Jien mitluf. | [ˈjiɛn mɪtˈluːf] |
| I am a tourist. | Jien turist. | [ˈjiɛn tuˈrɪst] |
| I am new here. | Jien ġdid hawn. | [ˈjiɛn d͡ʒdɪd haʊn] |
| I am confident. | Jien kunfidenti. | [ˈjiɛn kun.fɪˈdɛn.tɪ] |
| I am proud. | Jien kburi. | [ˈjiɛn ˈkbuː.rɪ] |
| I am a teacher. | Jien għalliem. | [ˈjiɛn ʔalˈlɪːɛm] |
| I am late. | Jien tard. | [ˈjiɛn taɾd] |
| I am 30 years old. | Għandi tletin sena. | [ˈʔan.dɪ tlɛˈtiːn ˈsɛ.na] |
| I am in a hurry. | Jien mgħaġġel. | [ˈjiɛn mʔad͡ʒːɛl] |
| I am happy. | Jien kuntent. | [ˈjiɛn kunˈtɛnt] |
| I am surprised. | Jien sorpriż. | [ˈjiɛn sɔrˈpriːz] |
| I am angry. | Jien irrabjat. | [ˈjiɛn ɪrːabˈjat] |
Apologising in Maltese
Here’s how to apologise to a Maltese speaker:
| English | Maltese | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| I apologise. | Niskuża ruħi. | [nɪsˈkuː.za ˈruː.ħɪ] |
| Sorry, that was not the intention. | Skużani, dik ma kinitx l-intenzjoni. | [skuˈza.nɪ dɪk ma ˈkɪ.nɪtʃ lɪn.tɛnˈt͡sjo.nɪ] |
| Sorry, I did not do it on purpose. | Skużani, ma għamiltiex apposta. | [skuˈza.nɪ ma ʔa.mɪlˈtɛːʃ apˈpɔs.ta] |
| Sorry, that was very clumsy of me. | Skużani, kont tassew sgojta. | [skuˈza.nɪ kɔnt tasˈsɛw ˈsɡɔj.ta] |
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Useful signs and notices in Maltese
Useful signs and messages in Maltese that you will often see.
| English | Maltese | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance | Dħul | [dħuːl] |
| Toilet | Tojlit | [ˈtɔjlɪt] |
| Exit | Ħruġ | [ħruːd͡ʒ] |
| Attention! | Attenzjoni! | [atːɛnˈtsjɔːnɪ] |
| Police | Pulizija | [pulɪˈzɪːja] |
| Emergency services | Servizzi ta’ emerġenza | [sɛrˈvɪt͡sɪ ta ɛmɛrˈd͡ʒɛnt͡sa] |
| Fire brigade | Brigata tan-nar | [brɪˈɡaːta tan ˈnaːr] |
| Passage forbidden. | Passaġġ projbit. | [paˈsad͡ʒ ˈprɔj.bɪt] |
| Caution! | Attenzjoni! | [atːɛnˈtsjɔːnɪ] |
| This building is under video surveillance. | Dan il-bini huwa taħt sorveljanza bil-vidjo. | [dan ɪlˈbɪ.nɪ ˈħuː.wa taħt sɔr.vɛlˈjan.t͡sa bɪlˈvɪ.djɔ] |
Numbers to 25 in Maltese
Counting in Maltese is not that difficult. Here are the numbers in Maltese from 1 to 25.
| English | Maltese | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wieħed | [ˈwiːħɛd] |
| 2 | Tnejn | [ˈtnɛjn] |
| 3 | Tlieta | [ˈtlɪːta] |
| 4 | Erbgħa | [ˈɛrbʔa] |
| 5 | Ħamsa | [ˈħam.sa] |
| 6 | Sitta | [ˈsɪt.ta] |
| 7 | Sebgħa | [ˈsɛbʔa] |
| 8 | Tmienja | [tmɪːˈn.ja] |
| 9 | Disgħa | [ˈdɪzʔa] |
| 10 | Għaxra | [ˈʔaʃ.ra] |
| 11 | Ħdax | [ˈħdaʃ] |
| 12 | Tnax | [ˈtnaʃ] |
| 13 | Tlettax | [tlɛtˈtaʃ] |
| 14 | Erbatax | [ɛrbəˈtaʃ] |
| 15 | Ħmistax | [ħmɪsˈtaʃ] |
| 16 | Sittax | [sɪtˈtaʃ] |
| 17 | Sbatax | [sbəˈtaʃ] |
| 18 | Tmintax | [tmɪnˈtaʃ] |
| 19 | Dsatax | [dsəˈtaʃ] |
| 20 | Għoxrin | [ˈʔɔʃ.rɪn] |
| 21 | Wieħed u għoxrin | [ˈwiːħɛd u ˈʔɔʃ.rɪn] |
| 22 | Tnejn u għoxrin | [ˈtnɛjn u ˈʔɔʃ.rɪn] |
| 23 | Tlieta u għoxrin | [ˈtlɪːta u ˈʔɔʃ.rɪn] |
| 24 | Erbgħa u għoxrin | [ˈɛrbʔa u ˈʔɔʃ.rɪn] |
| 25 | Ħamsa u għoxrin | [ˈħam.sa u ˈʔɔʃ.rɪn] |
The colours in Maltese
The most common colours in Maltese with phonetic transcription for pronunciation.
| English | Maltese | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Aħmar | [ˈaħ.mar] |
| Blue | Ikħal | [ˈɪk.ħal] |
| Yellow | Isfar | [ˈɪs.far] |
| Green | Aħdar | [ˈaħ.dar] |
| Black | Iswed | [ˈɪs.wɛd] |
| White | Abjad | [ˈab.jad] |
| Orange | Oranġjo | [ɔˈran.d͡ʒɔ] |
| Purple | Vjola | [ˈvjɔ.la] |
| Pink | Roża | [ˈrɔː.za] |
| Brown | Kannella | [kanˈnɛl.la] |
Days of the week, months and seasons in Maltese
Of course, you will also need the days of the week in Maltese and the pronunciation of the months and seasons in dialogues and daily communication in Maltese.
| English | Maltese | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Days of the Week | ||
| Monday | It-Tnejn | [ɪtˈtnɛjn] |
| Tuesday | It-Tlieta | [ɪtˈtlɪːta] |
| Wednesday | L-Erbgħa | [lˈɛrbʔa] |
| Thursday | Il-Ħamis | [ɪlˈħaːmɪs] |
| Friday | Il-Ġimgħa | [ɪlˈd͡ʒɪmʔa] |
| Saturday | Is-Sibt | [ɪsˈsɪbt] |
| Sunday | Il-Ħadd | [ɪlˈħadː] |
| Months | ||
| January | Jannar | [ˈjanːar] |
| February | Frar | [frar] |
| March | Marzu | [ˈmart͡su] |
| April | April | [aˈprɪl] |
| May | Mejju | [ˈmɛj.ju] |
| June | Ġunju | [ˈd͡ʒuː.nju] |
| July | Lulju | [ˈluːl.ju] |
| August | Awwissu | [awˈwɪs.su] |
| September | Settembru | [sɛtˈtɛm.bru] |
| October | Ottubru | [ɔtˈtuː.bru] |
| November | Novembru | [nɔˈvɛm.bru] |
| December | Diċembru | [dɪˈt͡ʃɛm.bru] |
| Seasons | ||
| Spring | Rebbiegħa | [rɛbˈbɪː.ja] |
| Summer | Sajf | [saɪf] |
| Autumn | Ħarifa | [ħaˈriː.fa] |
| Winter | Xitwa | [ˈʃɪt.wa] |
OUR TIP: If you want to learn these Maltese phrases interactively, we recommend the free language course demo from 17-Minute-Language, where you can learn Maltese phrases and dialogues.
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More information about the Maltese Business Course.
Additional links
- The different ways of learning languages
- Learning vocabulary successfully
- Motivated language learning
- It is so easy to train your understanding of a language at the same time
- Learning languages quickly? – Is it possible?
- The different types of learners when learning languages
More information about the Maltese Course for Children.