Common Shared Words in Maltese, Arabic and Hebrew
Compare everyday words in Maltese, Arabic and Hebrew and see how deeply shared Semitic vocabulary still runs through Maltese.
Why do Maltese and Arabic have so many similar words?
Maltese is a Semitic language with a strong Siculo-Arabic base. That is why many basic Maltese words still look and sound strikingly similar to Arabic, especially in everyday vocabulary such as body parts, numbers, time words and simple verbs.
Why include Hebrew?
Hebrew is also a Semitic language, so it often shows related forms too. Even when pronunciation and spelling differ, many of these words go back to the same older Semitic roots.
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Maltese, Arabic and Hebrew shared vocabulary
| English | Maltese | Arabic | Hebrew |
|---|---|---|---|
| and | u | و (wa) | ו (v) |
| blood | demm | دم (dam) | דם (dam) |
| bone | għadma | عظم (ʿaẓm) | עצם (ʿetzem) |
| day | jum | يوم (yawm) | יום (yom) |
| dog | kelb | كلب (kalb) | כלב (kelev) |
| earth | art | أرض (ʿarḍ) | ארץ (eretz) |
| eye | għajn | عين (ʿayn) | עין (ʿayin) |
| five | ħamsa | خمسة (khamsa) | חמש (ħamesh) |
| four | erbgħa | أربعة (ʾarbaʿa) | ארבעה (ʾarbaʿa) |
| hair | xagħar | شعر (shaʿar) | שער (seʿar) |
| hand | id | يد (yad) | יד (yad) |
| head | ras | رأس (raʾs) | ראש (rosh) |
| horn | qarn | قرن (qarn) | קרן (qeren) |
| leg | riġel | رجل (rijl) | רגל (regel) |
| mother | omm | أم (ʾumm) | אם (ʾem) |
| near | qarib | قريب (qarīb) | קרוב (qarov) |
| night | lejl | ليل (layl) | לילה (layla) |
| no | le | لا (lā) | לא (lo) |
| right | lemin | يمين (yamīn) | ימין (yamin) |
| rope | ħabel | حبل (ħabl) | חבל (ħevel) |
| salt | melħ | ملح (milħ) | מלח (melaħ) |
| see, to | ra | رأى (raʾā) | ראה (raʾa) |
| short | qasir | قصير (qaṣīr) | קצר (qatzar) |
| sun | xemx | شمس (shams) | שמש (shemesh) |
| tongue | lsien | لسان (lisān) | לשון (lashon) |
| tooth | sinna | سن (sinn) | שן (shen) |
| we | aħna | نحن (naħnu) | אנחנו (ʾanaħnu) |
| when | meta | متى (matā) | מתי (matai) |
| who | min | من (man) | מי (mi) |
| year | sena | سنة (sana) | שנה (shana) |
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What this comparison shows
Quick facts
What these shared words tell us
This comparison highlights how much of the Semitic core of Maltese is still visible in daily vocabulary. Even though modern Maltese also reflects strong later influence from Italian and English, many basic words still line up closely with Arabic and often with Hebrew too.
The similarities are especially clear in common semantic fields such as time, nature, body parts and essential verbs. That makes comparison pages like this useful both for learners and for readers curious about the history of Maltese.
FAQ: Maltese, Arabic and Hebrew similarities
Is Maltese derived from Arabic?
Maltese developed from Siculo-Arabic, so its Semitic core is historically linked to Arabic. That is why many basic Maltese words still resemble Arabic forms.
Why does Maltese sometimes look similar to Hebrew too?
Hebrew and Arabic are both Semitic languages and Maltese also belongs to the Semitic family. Because of that, many everyday words across all three languages can show related forms.
Are these words exactly the same in all three languages?
No. Some are very close, while others differ in spelling or pronunciation. The shared connection is often clearest when you compare the consonant pattern or the basic root.
What are good examples of shared Semitic words?
Clear examples include words for day, blood, sun, hand, mother and year.
Is this page useful for learners?
Yes. If you already know Maltese, Arabic, or Hebrew, comparing shared vocabulary can help you spot patterns faster and remember new words more easily.