Gozo Guide
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Maltese Dictionary

The words and phrases locals actually use — with pronunciation.

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Translate between Maltese and the main European languages.

Bonġu

[bon-joo]

Good morning

Essentials

Insider tip — The 'ġ' sounds exactly like the 'J' in Jeep. Say it with a smile!

Bonswà

[bon-swa]

Good evening

Essentials

Grazzi

[grats-ee]

Thank you

Essentials

Grazzi ħafna

[grats-ee haf-na]

Thank you very much

Essentials

Saħħa

[sah-ha]

Goodbye / Cheers

Essentials

Iva

[ee-va]

Yes

Essentials

Le

[leh]

No

Essentials

Skużani

[skoo-za-nee]

Excuse me / Sorry

Essentials

Kif int?

[keef int]

How are you?

Essentials

Tajjeb, grazzi

[tay-yeb grats-ee]

Good, thanks

Essentials

X'jismek?

[shees-mek]

What's your name?

Essentials

Jisimni…

[yi-sim-nee]

My name is…

Essentials

Mela

[mell-ah]

So / Of course / Alright

Slang & Vibes

Insider tip — The ultimate Maltese filler word. Use it to agree with someone enthusiastically.

Bomba!

[bom-bah]

Great! / Fantastic!

Slang & Vibes

Insider tip — Say this when a local tells you your boat or bus is on time.

Uwejja!

[oo-way-yah]

Come on! / No way!

Slang & Vibes

Insider tip — Used when expressing mild disbelief or telling a friend to hurry up.

Ħej!

[hay]

Hey!

Slang & Vibes

Insider tip — Casual greeting between friends.

Imbagħad

[im-baad]

Then / Well…

Slang & Vibes

Insider tip — Used as a conversational pause, like 'so anyway'.

Issa

[iss-ah]

Now / In a bit

Slang & Vibes

Insider tip — Beware: 'issa' often means 'soon-ish' on island time.

Ilma

[il-ma]

Water

Food & Drink

Ilma bil-gass

[il-ma bil-gass]

Sparkling water

Food & Drink

Inbid

[in-bid]

Wine

Food & Drink

Birra

[beer-ra]

Beer

Food & Drink

Kafè

[ka-fe]

Coffee

Food & Drink

Te

[teh]

Tea

Food & Drink

Ħobż

[hobz]

Bread

Food & Drink

Ftira

[ftee-ra]

Maltese sourdough flatbread

Food & Drink

Insider tip — Order a ftira biż-żejt — bread with tuna, olives, capers and tomato.

Pastizz

[pas-tits]

Flaky ricotta or pea pastry

Food & Drink

Insider tip — The national snack — under €1 from any pastizzerija.

Fenkata

[fen-ka-ta]

Rabbit feast

Food & Drink

Insider tip — A long, wine-soaked rabbit lunch — the most Maltese meal you can have.

Il-kont, jekk jogħġbok

[il-kont yek yoj-bok]

The bill, please

Food & Drink

Bnin!

[b-neen]

Delicious!

Food & Drink

Saħħa!

[sah-ha]

Cheers! (toasting)

Food & Drink

Fejn hu...?

[fayn hoo]

Where is...?

Directions

Dritt

[drit]

Straight ahead

Directions

Lemin

[le-meen]

Right

Directions

Xellug

[shel-loog]

Left

Directions

Qrib

[areeb]

Near

Directions

Bogħod

[bod]

Far

Directions

Il-baħar

[il-ba-har]

The sea

Directions

Il-port

[il-port]

The harbour

Directions

Il-pjazza

[il-pyat-tsa]

The square

Directions

Stazzjon tal-karozzi tal-linja

[stats-yon tal-ka-rot-tsi tal-lin-ya]

Bus station

Directions

01:36GrandBlue Vista