Order anything by pointing in Maltese
I would like, this one, how much, the bill: survive any counter or menu. Play the ten Maltese words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Maltese phrases in this lesson
- Nixtieq...nish-TEEQ
- I would like...
- Dandan
- This one
- Kemm jiswu?kem YIS-woo
- How much is it?
- Il-kont, jekk jogħġbokil-KONT, yek yo-OJ-bok
- The bill, please
- Bil-kardbil-KARD
- By card
- Bil-flusbil-FLOOS
- In cash
- IlmaIL-ma
- Water
- Kafèka-FEH
- Coffee
- Teteh
- Tea
- BirraBEER-ra
- Beer
- Mingħajr...min-AYR
- Without...
Literally "I would wish": "nixtieq kafè".
Point and say it. For a feminine noun, "din".
A handy phrase at markets and street food stalls where prices are not always posted. For a single item you can also say "Kemm jiswa?" (kem YIS-wa) using the singular form.
Service charge is sometimes included in sit-down restaurants; check the menu footer. If not included, 10 to 15 percent is a appreciated. This phrase works in cafes, bars, and restaurants alike.
"Bil-" is the Maltese prepositional prefix meaning "with/by". Contactless payment is standard in most cafes, restaurants, and supermarkets. Smaller street vendors and market stalls may still prefer cash.
"Flus" is the Maltese word for money, from the Arabic "fulus" (coins). Carry a few euros in small notes for pastizzi stalls, bus fares, and the occasional cash-only market vendor.
Tap water in Malta is technically safe but heavily desalinated and tastes strongly of minerals. Most residents and visitors buy bottled "ilma" for drinking. "Ilma frisk" means cold water.
Cisk is the local lager.
The għ is silent. "Mingħajr zokkor", without sugar.