Discover Maltese

Maltese Language Hub

Discover Maltese

Explore Maltese through beginner vocabulary, grammar, question words, Semitic comparisons, Romance-language links, Maltese culture and wider language articles. Use this hub to move from basic words to the fascinating Arabic, Italian, Sicilian and English influences that make Maltese so distinctive.

MT Start with Maltese words

Begin with essential Maltese vocabulary, numbers, days, months, colours, family, animals, food, drinks, body parts, technology, seasons and common phrases.

⇄ Compare Maltese properly

Maltese is perfect for comparison because it connects Semitic roots with later Italian, Sicilian, French and English influence.

Search by Maltese topic, vocabulary theme, grammar point, comparison or related language.

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▶ Start here

100 100+ Maltese Words & Phrases Start with a broad beginner vocabulary page for Maltese. › ⇄ Maltese, Arabic and Hebrew Shared Vocabulary Compare core Semitic words across Maltese, Arabic and Hebrew. › AR Comparing Maltese and Arabic A deeper article on major similarities and differences. › 30 30+ Facts About the Maltese Language Explore Maltese history, vocabulary, media and language facts. ›

MT Maltese pages

Aa 100+ Maltese Words & Phrases Family, numbers, colours, days, months, food, drinks, animals, body parts, technology, seasons and more. › ◎ Learn Maltese: World Continents, countries and world vocabulary in Maltese. › I Learn Maltese: Personal Pronouns Practise jien, int, huwa, hija, aħna, intom and huma. › Dm Learn Maltese: Demonstrative Pronouns Learn this, that, these and those in Maltese. › Be Learn Maltese: Kien / To Be Present and past forms linked to the verb “to be”. › ? Learn Maltese: Question Words Practise fejn, għaliex, kif, meta, min and xiex. ›

𐤀 Semitic comparisons

Aa Common Shared Words in Maltese, Arabic and Hebrew Compare everyday Semitic vocabulary side by side. › 123 Maltese, Arabic and Hebrew: Numbers Compare numbers from 0 to 100 across three Semitic languages. › ▣ Maltese, Arabic and Hebrew: Days of the Week Compare weekday names and Semitic patterns. › ▦ Maltese, Arabic and Hebrew: Months Compare month names across English, Maltese, Arabic and Hebrew. › ⌁ Maltese, Arabic and Hebrew: Transport Build a mini travel phrasebook across Maltese, Arabic and Hebrew. › AR Comparing Maltese and Arabic Explore sound changes, grammar and vocabulary links. › ? The 5 Ws & How in Arabic Varieties A useful comparison point for Semitic question words. ›

IT Romance and European links

IT From Italian to Maltese in a Few Simple Steps Explore Romance vocabulary inside Maltese. › SI Vocabulary Comparison: Maltese, Sicilian and Italian Compare everyday words across Maltese, Sicilian and Italian. › Cog Cognates in English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italian, Maltese and Llanito See how Maltese fits into a wider multilingual cognate set. › -tà Cognates (-tātem): Maltese -tà and Related Forms Compare abstract nouns such as identity, society and university. ›

◇ Grammar and useful structures

I Personal Pronouns Learn I, you, he, she, we, you plural and they in Maltese. › Dm Demonstrative Pronouns Learn Maltese forms for this, that, these and those. › Be Kien / To Be Practise present and past forms linked to “to be”. › ? Question Words Learn where, why, how, when, who and what in Maltese. › AR Maltese and Arabic Grammar Comparison Use the article to compare selected grammar patterns. ›

✦ Culture, facts and seasonal vocabulary

30 30+ Facts About the Maltese Language A culture-rich introduction to Maltese language history and facts. › 100 100+ Facts About Languages Includes wider language facts and European language context. › 🙏 Thank You in European Languages Useful for comparing polite phrases including Maltese. › ✧ Merry Christmas in European Languages Compare festive greetings, including Maltese. › NY Happy New Year in European Languages Compare New Year greetings across Europe. › ♡ Saint Valentine’s Day Vocabulary Compare love and Valentine’s Day vocabulary across languages. ›

A Maltese articles and wider context

MT 30+ Facts About the Maltese Language The main article page for Maltese language facts. › IT From Italian to Maltese in a Few Simple Steps Understand Romance influence in Maltese vocabulary. › AR Comparing Maltese and Arabic Explore how Maltese relates to Arabic. › 100 100+ Facts About Languages Browse wider language facts for broader context. ›

◎ Quick facts about Maltese

MT
Semitic language Maltese belongs to the Semitic language family.
Aa
Latin alphabet Maltese is written with a Latin-based alphabet.
⇄
Perfect for comparison It connects Semitic roots with strong Romance and English influence.

1 Suggested Maltese learning path

1 Start with essential vocabulary Begin with numbers, days, months, colours, family, animals, food, body parts, home, seasons and everyday phrases.
2 Learn the core grammar pages Use personal pronouns, demonstrative pronouns, kien/to be and question words to recognise basic Maltese sentence patterns.
3 Compare Maltese with Arabic and Hebrew Move into shared vocabulary, numbers, days, months and transport to see the Semitic core of Maltese more clearly.
4 Explore Romance influence Use the Italian-to-Maltese and Maltese-Sicilian-Italian pages to understand how Romance vocabulary works inside Maltese.
5 Read Maltese in wider context Finish with the Maltese facts article and wider language facts to connect vocabulary with culture, history and identity.

? Maltese FAQ

Is Maltese a Semitic language?

Yes. Maltese is a Semitic language, although it has also been strongly influenced by Romance languages and English.

Is Maltese the same as Arabic?

No. Maltese and Arabic are related through their Semitic background, but they are not the same language.

Why does Maltese have so many Italian-looking words?

Maltese has absorbed many words from Italian, Sicilian and other Romance sources, especially in areas such as culture, administration and modern vocabulary.

What should I learn first in Maltese?

Start with essential vocabulary, numbers, days of the week, months, personal pronouns, question words and the verb kien.

Why compare Maltese with Arabic and Hebrew?

Arabic and Hebrew help show the Semitic patterns that are still visible in many everyday Maltese words.

Why compare Maltese with Sicilian and Italian?

Sicilian and Italian help explain a large part of the Romance vocabulary that entered Maltese over time.