Now that you can say what you *do*, let's learn how to say what you *don't* do. Maltese has a unique and consistent way of forming negative sentences using a "wrapper" around the verb.
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
To make a verb negative in Maltese, you "wrap" it with `ma` at the beginning and `-x` at the end. It's like making a verb sandwich with "not".
ma + VERB + -x
Let's see this in action with the verb `għandi` from Chapter 6.
| Positive | Negative | English |
|---|---|---|
| Għandi | Ma għandix (ma an-DEESH) | I don't have |
| Għandek | Ma għandekx (ma an-DEKSH) | You don't have |
| Għandu | Ma għandux (ma an-DOOSH) | He doesn't have |
| Għandha | Ma għandhax (ma an-DASH) | She doesn't have |
| Għandna | Ma għandnax (ma an-DNASH) | We don't have |
| Għandkom | Ma għandkomx (ma and-KOMSH) | You (pl) don't have |
| Għandhom | Ma għandhomx (ma an-DOMSH) | They don't have |
The same rule applies to the present tense verbs we learned in the last chapter.
Positive: Jien nikteb. (Yen nik-TEB.) - I write.
Negative: Jien ma niktebx. (Yen ma nik-TEBSH.) - I don't write.
Positive: Hija tisma'. (EE-ya TIS-ma'.) - She listens.
Negative: Hija ma tisma'x. (EE-ya ma TIS-mash.) - She doesn't listen.
Positive: Huma jaħdmu. (OO-ma YAH-dmoo.) - They work.
Negative: Huma ma jaħdmux. (OO-ma ma yah-DMOOSH.) - They don't work.
If the verb form already ends in `-x` (like with `għandekx`), you only write one 'x'. If the verb ends in a vowel, you add `-x`. If the verb ends in a consonant that clashes with `-x`, sometimes an extra vowel is added for pronunciation, but the rule remains `ma...-x`.
Master the `ma...-x` negation structure.
Import Chapter 12 Flashcards(Requires login to import/study)
Identify whether the following sentences are positive or negative.
Turn the following positive sentences into negative sentences.
The `ma...-x` structure is a very distinct feature of Maltese and other Semitic languages. It's a clear marker of the language's deep historical roots. While Maltese has absorbed thousands of words from Italian and English, its core grammar, including negation, remains firmly Semitic.
In conversation, you'll hear this structure constantly. It’s used for simple denials (`Ma nafx` - I don't know), polite refusals (`Ma rridx, grazzi` - I don't want, thank you), and expressing what you don't do (`Ma npejjipx` - I don't smoke). Mastering this "wrapper" is essential for sounding natural and understanding everyday Maltese speech.
Pawlu asks Marija about her day.
Pawlu: Bonġu Marija! Kif int? Taħdem illum? (BON-joo Ma-REE-ya! Kif int? TAH-dem il-LOOM?)
Marija: Tajjeb, Pawlu. Le, illum ma naħdimx. Illum is-Sibt! (TAI-yeb, PAW-loo. Le, il-LOOM ma nah-DIMSH. il-LOOM is-SIBT!)
Pawlu: Ah, veru! Jien ukoll ma naħdimx. Għandek pjanijiet? (Ah, VE-roo! Yen oo-KOLL ma nah-DIMSH. AN-dek pya-NI-YEET?)
Marija: Ma għandix pjanijiet. Forsi naqra ktieb. Ma rridx noħroġ. (Ma an-DEESH pya-NI-YEET. FOR-si NA'-ra kteeb. Ma rridsh NOH-roj.)
Pawlu: Tajjeb. Jien ukoll. Ma għandix bżonn noħroġ. (TAI-yeb. Yen oo-KOLL. Ma an-DEESH bzonn NOH-roj.)
Pawlu: Hello Marija! How are you? Do you work today?
Marija: Fine, Pawlu. No, today I don't work. Today is Saturday!
Pawlu: Ah, true! I also don't work. Do you have plans?
Marija: I don't have plans. Maybe I'll read a book. I don't want to go out.
Pawlu: Good. Me too. I don't need to go out.
To negate a verb, wrap it with `ma` before and `-x` after.
`ma...-x` (not), `veru` (true), `forsi` (maybe), `rrid` (I want), `noħroġ` (I go out), `nafx` (I know).
Prosit! You can now express both positive and negative ideas. In the next chapter, we will learn about prepositions of place, such as "in", "on", and "under". This will allow you to start describing where things are located with much more detail.