Let's get moving! In this chapter, you'll learn the practical phrases needed to ask for and give directions, a crucial skill for navigating the charming streets of Malta.
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
| Maltese | Phonetic Guide | English |
|---|---|---|
| Skużani... | (skoo-ZAH-nee...) | Excuse me... |
| Fejn hi l-pjazza? | (feyn ee l-PYATS-tsa?) | Where is the square? |
| Kif nasal sal-bank? | (kif NA-sal sal-BANK?) | How do I get to the bank? |
| Huwa bogħod? | (OO-wa bo-OOD?) | Is it far? |
| Huwa qrib? | (OO-wa 'REEB?) | Is it near? |
| Maltese | Phonetic Guide | English |
|---|---|---|
| Mur dritt | (moor dritt) | Go straight |
| Dur fuq il-lemin | (door fook il-le-MIN) | Turn right |
| Dur fuq ix-xellug | (door fook ish-shel-LOOG) | Turn left |
| Aqsam it-triq | (A'-sam it-TREE') | Cross the street |
| Huwa fuq il-lemin. | (OO-wa fook il-le-MIN.) | It's on the right. |
| Huwa fuq ix-xellug. | (OO-wa fook ish-shel-LOOG.) | It's on the left. |
| Ħdejn... | (hdeyn...) | Next to... |
Master the phrases for asking for and giving directions.
Import Chapter 19 Flashcards(Requires login to import/study)
Match the Maltese phrase to its English meaning.
Mur dritt ( ) Cross the street
Dur fuq il-lemin ( ) Go straight
Aqsam it-triq ( ) Turn left
Dur fuq ix-xellug ( ) Turn rightMur dritt → Go straight
Dur fuq il-lemin → Turn right
Aqsam it-triq → Cross the street
Dur fuq ix-xellug → Turn leftSomeone asks you: `Skużani, fejn hi l-knisja?` (Excuse me, where is the church?). Tell them: "Go straight, then turn right. The church is on the left."
Mur dritt, imbagħad dur fuq il-lemin. Il-knisja qiegħda fuq ix-xellug.
Malta's older towns, like Valletta, the Three Cities, and Mdina, are famous for their narrow, winding streets (`toroq dojoq`). Giving and receiving directions is a common and friendly interaction. Don't be shy to ask for help; Maltese people are generally very willing to point you in the right direction, often with a smile and a chat.
The local parish church (`il-knisja parrokkjali`) is almost always the heart of a village or town. It's the most common and reliable landmark. If you're ever lost, asking for the way to the `pjazza` (the main square) or the `knisja` will always get you to the center of town.
A tourist is looking for the pharmacy in Valletta.
Turista: Skużani, tista' tgħinni? Kif nasal sal-ispiżerija? (skoo-ZAH-nee, TIS-ta TAIN-nee? Kif NA-sal sal-is-pi-dze-REE-ya?)
Pawlu: Dażgur. Mur dritt f'din it-triq. (daz-GOOR. Moor dritt f'deen it-TREE'.)
Turista: U mbagħad? (Oo m-BAAD?)
Pawlu: Imbagħad, dur fuq ix-xellug fit-tieni triq. L-ispiżerija tkun fuq il-lemin, ħdejn ħanut tal-ħobż. (m-BAAD, door fook ish-shel-LOOG fit-TEE-ni tree'. l-is-pi-dze-REE-ya tkoon fook il-le-MIN, hdeyn ha-NOOT tal-HOBZ.)
Turista: Grazzi ħafna tal-għajnuna! (GRAT-si HAF-na tal-ain-OO-na!)
Pawlu: M'hemmx problema. Il-ġurnata t-tajba! (Memsh prob-LE-ma. il-joor-NA-ta t-TAI-ba!)
Tourist: Excuse me, can you help me? How do I get to the pharmacy?
Pawlu: Of course. Go straight on this street.
Tourist: And then?
Pawlu: Then, turn left at the second street. The pharmacy will be on the right, next to a bakery.
Tourist: Thanks a lot for the help!
Pawlu: No problem. Have a good day!
Directions: `mur dritt`, `dur`, `lemin`, `xellug`, `aqsam`.
Locations: `bogħod`, `qrib`, `ħdejn`.
Places: `pjazza` (square), `knisja` (church), `spiżerija` (pharmacy).
Phrases: `Skużani`, `Kif nasal...?`, `M'hemmx problema` (No problem), `għajnuna` (help).
Prosit! You're now ready to navigate the streets of Malta. The instructions you learned, like "Go!" and "Turn!", are commands. In the next chapter, we'll officially learn the imperative mood, which is used to give commands and instructions for all sorts of actions.