Optional Maltese language practice is about building a functional foundation — enough to greet people, ask basic questions, count, tell the time, and conduct simple exchanges.
Use this page to practise
Practise a greeting, a courtesy phrase, and a simple everyday question from the page, then use them in a short exchange.
Independent practice only. This guide is not an official syllabus, question bank, or prediction of results.
- ML1
I Belong Programme · Topic 2 of 11
4 sections · 6 key facts · 5 review prompts
Greetings and courtesies
Maltese greetings are an immediate window into the culture. Bonġu (Good morning) and bonswa (Good evening/afternoon) are common greetings. Merħba means 'Welcome'. Ħej means 'Hey'.
Essential courtesies: Jekk jogħġbok (Please), Grazzi (Thank you), Prego (You're welcome), Skużani (Excuse me / I'm sorry), Iva (Yes), Le (No).
When meeting someone for the first time: Jisimni... (My name is...), Kif jisimek? (What is your name?), Pjaċir (Pleased to meet you). To ask how someone is: Kif int? (How are you?). Common responses: Tajjeb, grazzi (Fine, thanks), Mhux ħażin (Not bad).
Numbers, days, and time
Numbers 1–10: wieħed (1), tnejn (2), tlieta (3), erbgħa (4), ħamsa (5), sitta (6), sebgħa (7), tmienja (8), disgħa (9), għaxra (10). Numbers 11–20: ħdax (11), tnax (12), tlettax (13), erbatax (14), ħmistax (15), sittax (16), sbatax (17), tmintax (18), dsatax (19), għoxrin (20).
Days of the week: Il-Ħadd (Sunday), It-Tnejn (Monday), It-Tlieta (Tuesday), L-Erbgħa (Wednesday), Il-Ħamis (Thursday), Il-Ġimgħa (Friday), Is-Sibt (Saturday).
Months: Jannar, Frar, Marzu, April, Mejju, Ġunju, Lulju, Awwissu, Settembru, Ottubru, Novembru, Diċembru. Asking about time: X'ħin hu? (What time is it?). Il-ħin hu... (The time is...). Filgħodu (in the morning), Waranofsinhar (in the afternoon), Filgħaxija (in the evening).
Essential vocabulary — everyday life
Places: Id-dar (the house/home), L-iskola (the school), Ix-xogħol (work), Is-suq (the market), Il-ħanut (the shop), Il-klinika/it-tabib (the clinic/the doctor), L-isptar (the hospital), Il-bus / Ix-xarabank (the bus).
Family: Il-familja (family), Il-missier (father), Omm (mother), Iben (son), Bint (daughter), Ħu (brother), Oħt (sister), In-nannu/in-nanna (grandfather/grandmother).
Basic descriptors: Kbir/kbira (big), Żgħir/żgħira (small), Tajjeb/tajba (good), Ħażin/ħażina (bad), Sabiħ/sabiħa (beautiful), Kemm jiswa? (How much does it cost?), Fejn hu/hi? (Where is he/she/it?), Meta? (When?), Għaliex? (Why?), Kif? (How?).
Basic sentence structures
Many basic Maltese sentences use subject–verb–object order, though word order can vary. Simple present tense: Jien niekol (I eat), Int tiekol (You eat), Huwa jiekol (He eats), Hija tiekol (She eats). The verb conjugation changes based on subject.
The verb 'to be' (ikun) is often omitted in simple sentences: Jien Malti (I am Maltese — literally 'I Maltese'), Din it-triq twila (This street is long). In simple present-tense statements, Maltese often has no expressed equivalent of English 'am/is/are'.
Question formation: Trid...? (Do you want...?), Taf...? (Do you know...?), Tista'...? (Can you...?), Hemm...? (Is there...?).
Key facts to remember
“Bonġu” means “Good morning” in Maltese.
“Jekk jogħġbok” means “Please”; “Grazzi” means “Thank you”.
“Il-Ħadd” is Sunday; “It-Tnejn” is Monday.
“Ħamsa” means five; “sitta” means six.
“Jisimni...” means “My name is...”.
“Fejn hu?” asks where a masculine person or thing is.
Study tips
- Learn greetings first — you will use them immediately in daily life.
- Write the days of the week and numbers 1–20 on a card and review it each morning for a week. Repetition helps retention.
- Notice that Maltese noun adjectives agree with gender — ħabib tajjeb means a good male friend; ħabiba tajba means a good female friend. Keep this in mind when using descriptors.
- Use the vocabulary sections to label items in your home — seeing the Maltese word on the item every day can help with everyday vocabulary.
Common pitfalls
- Confusing day names when arranging a date or appointment
- Confusing tnejn (two) with It-Tnejn (Monday) — same root, different context
- Not practising speaking aloud — reading Maltese and speaking it are different skills
- Trying to learn all vocabulary at once rather than building on the most frequent words first
Ready to test yourself?
Self-test
Quick review
5 questions · tap to reveal
How do you say 'Please' in Maltese?
Jekk jogħġbok.
Which day is called Il-Ħadd in Maltese?
Sunday.
What is the Maltese for 'five'?
Ħamsa.
How do you ask 'Where is it?' in Maltese?
Fejn hu? (for masculine) or Fejn hi? (for feminine).
How do you say 'My name is...' in Maltese?
Jisimni...
Preparation scope and sources
Since 15 June 2026, I Belong focuses on the 100-hour Cultural Orientation course. The Directorate also provides transitional arrangements for Stage 2 applications received before that date, including an opportunity to take MQF Level 2 Maltese. Its overview does not specify a current assessment format or numeric pass mark. Confirm the instructions for your course with your provider. Language exercises here are supplementary practice, not official I Belong course materials.
Read the official I Belong Programme guidance
Assessment guidance checked:
The linked programme overview establishes the preparation context, not an official endorsement of these exercises. Follow your provider's current course materials and assessment instructions.