Shops and hotels in Maltese
Open, closed, a bag, the wifi password: the checkout and the front desk. 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 10 Maltese phrases in this lesson
- Għandek...?AN-dek
- Do you have...?
- Fejn hu...?fayn hoo
- Where is...?
- Miftuħmif-TOOH
- Open
- Magħluqma-LOOQ
- Closed
- Borża?BOR-za
- A bag?
- Għali wisqA-lee wisq
- Too expensive
- Għandi riżervazzjoniAN-dee ri-zer-vats-YO-nee
- I have a reservation
- Il-kolazzjon inkluż?il-ko-lats-YON in-KLOOZ
- Is breakfast included?
- X'inhi l-password tal-wifi?shin-HEE l-PAS-word tal-WAI-fai
- What's the wifi password?
- Nista'...?NIS-ta
- Can I...?
The "għ" at the start is nearly silent, so this sounds like it begins with a short "an". It is the standard way to ask if a shop stocks something. Follow it with the item name and a rising intonation.
"Fejn" is the question word for location. Point or look expectantly after saying it and staff will usually gesture or walk you to the right aisle. For a plural item, use "Fejn huma...?".
Plastic bag charges apply in Maltese supermarkets. Cashiers may ask "Trid borża?" (Do you want a bag?). Saying "le, grazzi" saves you the charge and signals environmental awareness.