Chapter 18: Pronom Possessiv (Possessive Pronouns)

In Chapter 10, we learned one way to show possession with suffixes (e.g., `ommi` - my mother). Now, we'll learn the second, more common way: using standalone possessive pronouns.

Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

Recognize and use the standalone possessive pronouns like `tiegħi`, `tiegħek`, etc.
Understand when to use these pronouns versus the possessive suffixes.
Construct sentences to clearly state ownership of objects.

The Possessive Pronouns

These words function like "my," "your," "his," etc., in English. Crucially, they are always placed **after** the noun they describe.

Maltese	Phonetic Guide	English
tiegħi	(TEE-eye)	my / mine
tiegħek	(TEE-ek)	your / yours (singular)
tiegħu	(TEE-oo)	his
tagħha	(TAH-ha)	her / hers
tagħna	(TAH-na)	our / ours
tagħkom	(TAH-kom)	your / yours (plural)
tagħhom	(TAH-hom)	their / theirs

Examples in sentences:

Dan hu l-ktieb tiegħi. (Dan oo l-kteeb TEE-eye.) - This is my book.
Il-karozza tiegħek hija ħamra. (il-ka-ROTS-tsa TEE-ek EE-ya HAM-ra.) - Your car is red.
Id-dar tagħhom hija kbira. (id-dar TAH-hom EE-ya KBEE-ra.) - Their house is big.

When to Use Which Method?

You now know two ways to show possession. Here's a simple guide:

Possessive Suffixes (`-i`, `-ek`, etc.): Use these for close relationships and body parts. It feels more "natural" and integrated. Examples: `ommi` (my mother), `ibni` (my son), `idi` (my hand).
Standalone Pronouns (`tiegħi`, `tiegħek`, etc.): Use these for almost everything else—objects, concepts, and for adding emphasis. You can even use both for emphasis: `ommi tiegħi` (my mother). This is the most common and versatile method.

Rule of thumb: When in doubt, use the standalone pronoun (`tiegħi`, etc.). It's almost always correct.

Practice Activities

Recognition Practice:

Exercise 1: Match the Pronoun

Match the Maltese possessive pronoun to the correct English meaning.

 tagħna      ( ) his
 tiegħu      ( ) your (plural)
 tagħhom     ( ) our
 tagħkom     ( ) my
 tiegħi      ( ) their

tagħna → our
tiegħu → his
tagħhom → their
tagħkom → your (plural)
tiegħi → my

Production Practice:

Exercise 2: Translate the Phrase

Translate the following phrases into Maltese using the standalone possessive pronouns.

my pen -> il-pinna ________
her house -> id-dar ________
our school -> l-iskola ________

il-pinna tiegħi
id-dar tagħha
l-iskola tagħna

Cultural Insight

The distinction between the two forms of possession in Maltese (suffixes vs. standalone pronouns) offers a subtle window into the culture. The suffixed form, used for family, implies an "inalienable" possession—something that is an intrinsic part of you. Your mother (`ommi`) is part of your identity in a way that your car (`il-karozza tiegħi`) is not. While this is primarily a grammatical feature inherited from Semitic languages, it aligns beautifully with the strong, core value placed on family in Maltese society.

Il-Ħin tal-Istorja (Story Time)

Anna and Pawlu are trying to find whose phone is ringing.

It-Telefon ta' Min Hu? (Whose Phone is it?)

Anna: Pawlu, it-telefon qed iddoqq. Huwa t-telefon tiegħek? (PAW-loo, it-te-le-FON 'ed id-DO'. OO-wa t-te-le-FON TEE-ek?)

Pawlu: Le, mhux tiegħi. It-telefon tiegħi qiegħed fil-but. Forsi huwa tiegħu? (Le, moosh TEE-eye. it-te-le-FON TEE-eye 'EE-ed fil-BOOT. FOR-si OO-wa TEE-oo?) (points to Mark)

Mark: Lanqas tiegħi. Forsi huwa tagħha, ta' Marija? (LAN-'as TEE-eye. FOR-si OO-wa TAH-ha, ta' Ma-REE-ya?)

Marija: Iva! Huwa tiegħi! Grazzi! Insejt li ħallejtu fuq il-mejda tagħna. (EE-va! OO-wa TEE-eye! GRAT-si! in-SEYT li hal-LEY-too foo' il-MEY-da TAH-na.)

Whose Phone is it? (Translation)

Anna: Pawlu, the phone is ringing. Is it your phone?

Pawlu: No, not mine. My phone is in my pocket. Maybe it is his?

Mark: Not mine either. Maybe it is hers, Marija's?

Marija: Yes! It's mine! Thank you! I forgot that I left it on our table.

Review and Consolidation

Key Concept:

To show possession for most objects, use the standalone pronouns tiegħi, tiegħek, tiegħu, tagħha, tagħna, tagħkom, tagħhom after the noun.

Key Vocabulary:

The possessive pronouns themselves are the key vocabulary for this chapter.

Self-Assessment:

How do you say "my dog"? (`il-kelb tiegħi`)
How do you say "her book"? (`il-ktieb tagħha`)
What is the difference between `ommi` and `l-omm tiegħi`? (Both mean "my mother," but `ommi` is more common and natural for family. `l-omm tiegħi` is more emphatic or formal.)

Looking Ahead

Prosit! You have now fully mastered the two main ways to express possession in Maltese. In the next chapter, we will learn how to give and ask for directions, a very practical skill that combines question words, prepositions, and verbs.

Previous Chapter: The Past Tense Next Chapter: Giving Directions