Maltese makes language very efficient by "attaching" the object of a sentence directly to the verb. Instead of saying "he saw me", you say "he-saw-me" as one word. This is a fundamental concept to learn.
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
Here are the suffixes that attach to the end of a verb to represent the direct object.
| Suffix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| -ni | me |
| -k / -ok / -ek | you (singular) |
| -h / -u | him / it (masculine) |
| -ha | her / it (feminine) |
| -na | us |
| -kom | you (plural) |
| -hom | them |
How the pronoun attaches depends on the last letter of the verb.
You generally just add the suffix. The verb `għen` (he helped) is a good example.
The suffix is added directly. Let's use `ra` (he saw).
The suffix for "him/it" changes based on the verb ending:
Master attaching object pronouns to verbs.
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Identify the object (me, you, him, her, etc.) in each of these words.
Create one word from the verb and the object pronoun.
Attaching pronouns directly to verbs makes Maltese a very fluid and concise language. This is most famously demonstrated in one of the most important phrases you can learn: `Inħobbok` (I love you). It's not three separate words as in English, but one single, powerful unit that combines "I-love-you."
You'll hear this structure constantly in imperative commands as well. A child might shout to their parent, `Għinni!` (Help me!). Someone trying to explain something might say `Ifhimni` (Understand me!). This grammatical feature is not just an oddity; it's at the very core of everyday, intimate communication in Maltese.
Pawlu asks his mother about a book.
Pawlu: Ma, rajt il-ktieb tiegħi? Ma nistax insibu. (Ma, right il-KTEEB TEE-eye? Ma nis-TASH in-see-BOO.)
Omm: Liema ktieb, Pawlu? Dak il-blu? (LEE-ma kteeb, PAW-loo? Dak il-bloo?)
Pawlu: Iva, dak. Rajtu? (EE-va, dak. RIGH-too?)
Omm: Iva, rajtu. Oħtok ħaditu biex tistudja. Qaltli biex ngħidlek. (EE-va, RIGH-too. OH-tok had-EE-too byesh tis-TUD-ya. 'ALT-li byesh n'AID-lek.)
Pawlu: Ah, tajjeb. Għenitni ħafna! Grazzi, Ma. (Ah, TAI-yeb. ain-IT-ni HAF-na! GRAT-si, Ma.)
Pawlu: Mum, did you see my book? I can't find it.
Mother: Which book, Pawlu? The blue one?
Pawlu: Yes, that one. Did you see it?
Mother: Yes, I saw it. Your sister took it to study. She told me to tell you.
Pawlu: Ah, good. You helped me a lot! Thanks, Mum.
Direct object pronouns (me, you, him, her, etc.) are attached as suffixes to the end of verbs.
`-ni` (me), `-k` (you), `-u/-h` (him/it), `-ha` (her/it), `-na` (us), `-kom` (you pl.), `-hom` (them).
Common examples: `Inħobbok` (I love you), `Għinni` (Help me), `Sibu` (Find him/it).
Prosit! This was a complex but essential chapter. In the next lesson, we will learn about Adverbs (`Avverbji`), which will help you describe *how*, *when*, or *where* an action happens, adding more detail and nuance to your sentences.