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srl's Maltese Grammar Page

Last update: Sat, Jul 31, 1999 Also see the old version

Table of contents:

Definite Articles

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The only article used in Maltese is the Definite Article, '-l'. It is attached to the word it precedes with a hyphen. For example, l-għolja means "the hill". Without the article, għolja just means "a hill". The definite article therefore indicates that you refer to a particular instance of the subject. The definite article is placed before words beginning with "għ", or "h" and a vowel.

The definite article is also used before words starting with two consonants where the first one is m,n,r,s, or x. The noun usually takes a euphonic 'i' before it. For example: The article takes the euphonic letter "i" infront of the Qamrin consonants ( b,f,g(with a dot on it), g,għ, ħ, h j, k, l, m, n,q, v,w).

Examples:

The article is absorbed infront of the Xemxin consonants ( ċ ,d,n,r,s,t,x,z,ż ). That is, instead of an l, the first consonant of the word is used. il- is the form of the article before Qamrin (Moony) consonants, such as Q which begins the word 'Qamar' (moon). Words that start with s, x, z, ż, c, d, r, or n are Xemxin consonants. Before these consonants, the second letter of the articles is always the same as the letter which begins the word.

For example:

xemx starts with an x, therefore ix- must be used. (This is why these are called the Xemxin.) ras starts with an r, therefore ir- must be used.

Here are all of the Xemxin:

All other consonants are Qamrin (Moony).

When there is a vowel before the definite article, the "i" in the article is dropped.

For example:

The "i" is also dropped when the article preceeds a word beginning with a vowel.

For example:

Plurality

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Gender

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In Maltese, all nouns are masculine or feminine. There is no neuter in Maltese. Adjectives and pronouns must take the gender of the noun they refer to.

Example:

'Hu' is a pronoun and it is masculine. It agrees with Pawlu. Notice that the verb is marret because Pawla is feminine. Only the third person singular verb must agree with the noun in number and gender. Hi (She) must agree with the noun to which it is linked, ie, 'Pawla'.

also, the verb 'qiegħed' means 'I stay/stand' for a male, but the verb 'qiegħda' is used for a female. 'qed' means the same thing for either.

Negation/Affirmation

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You can negate a word by putting ma (not) in front of it, and adding an 'x' to the word. Example:

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Verb Conjugation

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In Maltese, there are two main tenses in the indicative mood: The Imperfect and the Perfect. The Imperfect is roughly similar to the English present and the Perfect is similar to the Past tense.

Imperfett
Singular
Nagħtik rigalI give you a present
Tagħtih rigal You give him a present.
Jagħtik rigal He gives you a present.
Tagħtik rigal She gives you a present
Plural
Nagħtuk rigal We give you a present
Tagħtuh rigal You give him a present
Jagħtuh rigal They give him a present.

Perfect
Singular
Tajtek rigalI gave you a present
Tajtu rigal You gave him a present.
Tak rigal He gave you a present.
Tatek rigal She gave you a present.
Plural
Tajnih rigal We gave him a present
Tajtuh rigal You gave him a present
Tawk rigal They gave you a present.

Tajtu lilek means "I gave it to you."

tajtekgave to you
tajtu gave to him
tajtha gave to her
tajtkom gave to you (pl)
tajthom gave to them
tak He gave it to you
tajtniYou gave me

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Some different forms of nouns.. (Possessive here)

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rashead
rasimy head
rasekyour head
qalbheart
qalbimy heart

srl@monkey.sbay.org
I am very interested in hearing your comments, suggestions, or corrections! Grazzi!

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