{"id":4552,"date":"2025-06-18T16:27:27","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T16:27:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.com.au\/blog\/?p=4552"},"modified":"2026-06-15T17:02:01","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T17:02:01","slug":"maltese-phrases-every-traveller-needs-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.com.au\/blog\/maltese-phrases-every-traveller-needs-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Maltese Phrases Every Traveller Needs to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Planning a trip to Malta? Then you\u2019ll want more than just your sunscreen and swimwear\u2014you\u2019ll want a few Maltese phrases in your pocket too. Maltese, or <em>Lingwa Maltija<\/em>, is a one-of-a-kind language. It\u2019s the only Semitic language that uses the Latin alphabet, blending Arabic roots with Italian and English influences.<\/p>\n<p>Whether you\u2019re grabbing a pastizz in Valletta or catching a bus to the Blue Grotto, knowing a few key Maltese words helps you connect with locals\u2014and shows you\u2019ve made the effort. In this guide, we\u2019ll walk you through the Maltese greetings, useful travel phrases, and colourful Maltese sayings and idioms that give the language its unmistakable charm.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 22px; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"color: #0082cb;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.com.au\/contact-us.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2192Sign Up Now: Free Trial Maltese Lesson With a Native Teacher!\u2190<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Maltese Greetings<\/h2>\n<p>Locals in Malta are famously friendly, so don\u2019t be surprised if a simple smile gets you far. Still, knowing how to greet people properly in Maltese goes a long way in making a great first impression.<\/p>\n<p>Start your morning with a cheerful <strong>\u201cBongu\u201d<\/strong> (pronounced <em>bon-ju<\/em>), the go-to Maltese greeting during the early hours. It\u2019s like saying \u201cgood morning,\u201d and it\u2019ll earn you an instant nod of appreciation. Later in the day, switch it up to <strong>\u201cBonswa\u201d<\/strong> (<em>bon-swaa<\/em>), especially around sunset or when walking into a restaurant for dinner.<\/p>\n<p>When it\u2019s time to say goodbye, <strong>\u201c\u010aaw\u201d<\/strong> (<em>cha-w<\/em>) is your casual go-to\u2014much like the Italian <em>ciao<\/em>. In more formal settings, or when you&#8217;re bidding someone a heartfelt farewell, use <strong>\u201cSa\u0127\u0127a\u201d<\/strong> (<em>sah-ha<\/em>), meaning good health.<\/p>\n<p>Want to ask someone how they\u2019re doing? Say <strong>\u201cKif inti?\u201d<\/strong> (<em>kif int-ee?<\/em>). It\u2019s a great conversation starter, and you might hear replies like <strong>\u201cTajjeb \u0127afna\u201d<\/strong> (very good) or <strong>\u201cMhux \u0127azin\u201d<\/strong> (not bad).<\/p>\n<p>These simple Maltese greetings open doors, spark conversations, and help you feel at home from the moment you step off the plane.<\/p>\n<h2>Useful Maltese Phrases for Travellers<\/h2>\n<p>Getting around Malta is fairly easy, but dropping in a few Maltese phrases while asking for help or ordering food can turn a regular moment into a memorable one.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s start with the essentials. Need to ask for something politely? Use <strong>\u201cJekk jog\u0127\u0121bok\u201d<\/strong> (<em>yek yoh-jbok<\/em>) for \u201cplease.\u201d To show appreciation, go with <strong>\u201cGrazzi\u201d<\/strong> (<em>grut-see<\/em>), which comes from the Italian <em>grazie<\/em>. And when you&#8217;re navigating a busy market or squeezing past someone in a shop, a quick <strong>\u201cSku\u017cani\u201d<\/strong> (<em>skoo-za-nee<\/em>) means both \u201csorry\u201d and \u201cexcuse me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Not sure where you&#8217;re going? Say <strong>\u201cFejn hu&#8230;?\u201d<\/strong> (Where is&#8230;?) or <strong>\u201cX\u2019nag\u0127mel biex nasal sa&#8230;?\u201d<\/strong> (How do I get to&#8230;?). These phrases are lifesavers when you\u2019re trying to catch a bus or find your way to Mdina.<\/p>\n<p>Other useful Maltese words include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u201cKemm jiswa?\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 How much does it cost?<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u201cMenu, jekk jog\u0127\u0121bok\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 Menu, please<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u201cKont, jekk jog\u0127\u0121bok\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 Bill, please<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u201cTaf titkellem bl-Ingli\u017c?\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 Do you speak English?<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u201cL-ikla t-tajba!\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 Bon app\u00e9tit!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>With these Maltese phrases for tourists, you&#8217;ll feel more confident exploring Malta like a local.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4553 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/pexels-michaela-87369-3567189.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/pexels-michaela-87369-3567189.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/pexels-michaela-87369-3567189-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/pexels-michaela-87369-3567189-120x90.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Essential Maltese Sayings and Idioms<\/h2>\n<p>Now for the fun part\u2014Maltese sayings. These are the colourful expressions locals love to use, often with meanings that aren\u2019t exactly what they seem at first glance.<\/p>\n<p>Take <strong>\u201cTaqtax qalbek\u201d<\/strong>, which literally means \u201cDon\u2019t cut your heart.\u201d In practice, it\u2019s Malta\u2019s way of saying \u201cDon\u2019t give up.\u201d Then there\u2019s <strong>\u201cG\u0127ajni marret bija\u201d<\/strong>, which sounds poetic but simply means \u201cI fell asleep\u201d (my eye went with me). Pretty vivid, right?<\/p>\n<p>Looking for a funny Maltese idiom? Try <strong>\u201cXemx taqli l-ankri\u201d<\/strong>, which translates to \u201csun frying the anchors\u201d\u2014their way of saying it\u2019s scorchingly hot out. Or <strong>\u201cIdur mal-lew\u017ca\u201d<\/strong>, which means \u201cgo around the almond,\u201d used when someone\u2019s beating around the bush.<\/p>\n<p>These Maltese sayings are more than just expressions. They\u2019re a peek into the island\u2019s personality\u2014humourous, dramatic, and full of heart.<\/p>\n<h2>Maltese Phrases to Talk About Transportation and Directions<\/h2>\n<p>Getting around Malta is fairly straightforward, but asking for help in Maltese shows respect and interest in the local culture\u2014and it might just get you better directions too. Whether you\u2019re catching a bus to Mdina, hailing a taxi in St. Julian\u2019s, or wandering the narrow streets of Valletta, these Maltese phrases for tourists will come in handy.<\/p>\n<p>Start with <strong>\u201cFejn hu&#8230;?\u201d<\/strong>, meaning <em>\u201cWhere is&#8230;?\u201d<\/em> Just add the place you&#8217;re looking for. For example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u201cFejn hu l-istazzjon tal-karozzi?\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 <em>Where is the bus station?<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Need more detailed help? Use <strong>\u201cX\u2019nag\u0127mel biex nasal sa&#8230;?\u201d<\/strong>, which means <em>\u201cHow do I get to&#8230;?\u201d<\/em> This is great when asking about more complicated routes or unfamiliar villages.<\/p>\n<p>Worried about costs while traveling? Ask:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u201cKemm jiswa?\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 <em>How much does it cost?<br \/>\n<\/em>You\u2019ll hear this a lot when dealing with taxi drivers or renting bikes and scooters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Other helpful Maltese words related to transport:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u201cKarozza\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 car<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u201cTaxi\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 taxi (yes, it\u2019s the same!)<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u201cTriq\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 street<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u201c\u0126dejn\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 near<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u201cBog\u0127od\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 far<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Locals are often happy to help, especially when you give their language a try. Even a basic effort to learn a few Maltese phrases can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable\u2014whether you\u2019re hopping between towns or just trying not to get lost.<\/p>\n<h2>Maltese Phrases for Eating Out<\/h2>\n<p>Whether you&#8217;re enjoying fresh rabbit stew or a slice of <em>kunserva<\/em>-slathered bread, knowing a few Maltese words at a restaurant makes the whole experience feel more authentic\u2014and appreciated by the staff.<\/p>\n<p>Start with a polite <strong>\u201cMenu, jekk jog\u0127\u0121bok\u201d<\/strong> (<em>Menu, please<\/em>) when you&#8217;re seated. Ready to order? Say <strong>\u201cNixtieq&#8230;\u201d<\/strong> (<em>I would like&#8230;<\/em>) followed by your dish. If you\u2019re unsure what to try, ask:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u201cX\u2019nirrakkomanda?\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 <em>What do you recommend?<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When you&#8217;re done eating and ready to pay, use <strong>\u201cKont, jekk jog\u0127\u0121bok\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 <em>Bill, please.<\/em> Before you dig in, impress your tablemates with <strong>\u201cL-ikla t-tajba!\u201d<\/strong>, Malta\u2019s version of <em>Bon app\u00e9tit<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Even if the menu\u2019s in English, sprinkling in a few Maltese phrases adds flavour to your dining experience\u2014and might even get you a bigger smile from your waiter.<\/p>\n<h2>Maltese Curse Words (Use with Caution!)<\/h2>\n<p>Every language has its darker, more expressive side\u2014and Maltese is no exception. In fact, Maltese curse words are famously creative, often blending religious references with anatomical flair. While you might not want to use these yourself, recognising a few of them can help you understand the emotional temperature of a situation\u2014or avoid saying something truly inappropriate by accident.<\/p>\n<p>Maltese curse words typically mix profanity with religious imagery, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u201cF\u2019g\u0127oxx ommok\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 A brutal insult meaning \u201cin your mother\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u201cHaqq Alla\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 Meaning \u201cGod\u2019s wrath\u201d or \u201ceffing God,\u201d often used in frustration, like when you stub your toe or break something.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u201cMadonna!\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 A blasphemous exclamation invoking the Virgin Mary, sometimes intensified as <strong>\u201cF\u2019g\u0127oxx il-Madonna.\u201d<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Other Maltese insults include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u201cQahba\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 Meaning prostitute or b**ch. Be careful\u2014this is extremely offensive.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u201cIdjota\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 Idiot.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u201cKelba\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 Literally \u201cfemale dog,\u201d used like \u201cb**ch.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u201cKollok \u0127ara\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cYou\u2019re full of s**t.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These expressions are colourful and widely understood across the island, but using them requires serious caution. Maltese people tend to use these words with close friends or in heated moments\u2014throwing one out as a tourist might get you more than just a dirty look. Still, they offer insight into the bold, no-filter personality of the language.<\/p>\n<h2>Funny Maltese Phrases That Will Make You Smile<\/h2>\n<p>Maltese humour is direct, sometimes cheeky, and often packed into a single phrase that says more than a whole sentence.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s start with <strong>\u201cXemx taqli l-ankri\u201d<\/strong>, which literally means <em>\u201cthe sun is frying the anchors.\u201d<\/em> It\u2019s a hilarious way to say it\u2019s unbearably hot\u2014perfect for those sweaty July afternoons in Sliema.<\/p>\n<p>Another gem is <strong>\u201cNi\u0121i, naqa&#8217; u nqum\u201d<\/strong> (<em>I come, fall, and get up<\/em>), which people use when they really couldn\u2019t care less. It\u2019s the verbal shrug of someone who\u2019s been through too much to be bothered anymore.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cIdur mal-lew\u017ca\u201d<\/strong>, or <em>\u201cgo around the almond\u201d<\/em>, is a quirky way of accusing someone of beating around the bush or avoiding the point. Think of it as Malta\u2019s version of calling someone out for dancing around an issue.<\/p>\n<p>And of course, there\u2019s the famously flexible <strong>\u201cMela\u201d<\/strong>\u2014not exactly funny on its own, but the way it\u2019s used often is. Depending on tone, this little word can mean \u201cso?\u201d, \u201cobviously,\u201d \u201cgo on,\u201d \u201cno way,\u201d or just fill a dramatic pause. Hearing a local drop a sarcastic <em>\u201cMela\u2026\u201d<\/em> in conversation is a cultural moment all on its own.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 22px; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"color: #0082cb;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.com.au\/contact-us.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2192Sign Up Now: Free Trial Maltese Lesson With a Native Teacher!\u2190<\/a><\/p>\n<p>These funny Maltese phrases might sound bizarre at first, but they reflect a lively, expressive culture that doesn\u2019t take itself too seriously. Learn a few, and you might just get a laugh\u2014or at least a knowing smile\u2014from a local.<\/p>\n<p>Ready to go beyond basic Maltese phrases? At Language Trainers, we connect you with native teachers for personalised one-to-one <a href=\"https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.com.au\/maltese-courses\/sydney.php\">Maltese lessons in Sydney<\/a> or wherever you are.. Whether you&#8217;re planning a trip or settling in Malta, our courses are designed around your goals and schedule. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.com.au\/contact-us.php\">Contact Language Trainers<\/a> today and make your next conversation in Maltese one to remember.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Planning a trip to Malta? Then you\u2019ll want more than just your sunscreen and swimwear\u2014you\u2019ll want a&#8230;","protected":false},"author":47,"featured_media":4553,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[707,530],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4552","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-maltese","category-travel"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4552"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/47"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4552"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4552\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4554,"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4552\/revisions\/4554"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4553"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4552"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4552"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.languagetrainers.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4552"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}