35 Arabic Words We Use That Are Also Found in Maltese

Did you know that the Lebanese dialect and the Maltese language share so many base similarities? Actually, they sound more similar than any other language we’ve compared so far (See Arabic words from Turkish and Spanish).

Why are Arabic and Maltese so closely related?

Maltese and the Lebanese Arabic dialect share a similar history rooted in the eastern Mediterranean. Both evolved from a blend of local languages, including Phoenician, Aramaic, Syriac, and Turkish.

The Arab conquest of Malta in the 9th century had a big impact on the island’s language. During their rule, many Arabic words and some aspects of grammar were added to the local Romance language. While the Arabs were few in number, their influence still shaped the way people spoke. Over time, this mix of Arabic with the local language developed into Maltese, which also later included influences from Italian and English. So, Maltese today has strong Arabic roots but also elements from other languages.

Did you know that these 35 Arabic words that Lebanese people use every day are also found in Maltese?

1. Sea (baher – بحر) in Maltese: Baħar

2. House (Dar – دار) in Maltese: Dar

3. Sun (Shames – شمس) in Maltese: Xemx (The letter X in Maltese is pronounced sh)

4. Moon (Amar – قمر) in Maltese: Qamar

5. Name (Esem – اسم) in Maltese: Ism

6. Bread (Khebez – خبز) in Maltese: Ħobż

7. Dog (Kaleb – كلب) in Maltese: Kelb

8. Girl/Daughter (Bint – بنت) in Maltese: Bint

9. Man (Rejjel – رجال) in Maltese: Rajjel

10. Woman (Mara – مرة) in Maltese: Mara

11. Big/Old (Kbir – كبير) in Maltese: Kbir

12. Small (Zgheer – زغير) in Maltese: Żgħir

13. Month (Shaher – شهر) in Maltese: Xahar

14. Legs (Syeqeen – ساقين) in Maltese: Saqajn

15. Knife (Sekkeen – سكين) in Maltese: Sikina

16. Spoon (Meghrafa – مغرفة) in Maltese: Mgħarfa (Lebanese people also say معلقة)

17. Door (Baab – باب) in Maltese: Bieb

18. To open (Fattah – فتّح) in Maltese: Ftaħ

19. Wall (Hayt – حيط) in Maltese: Ħajt

20. To have (Eendi – عندي) in Maltese: Ghandi

21. Boy/Child (Tofl – طفل) in Maltese: Tifel

22. Girl/Child (Tofle – طفلة) in Maltese: Tifla

23. Hair (Shaar – شعر) in Maltese: Xagħar

24. Delicious (Tayeb – طيب) in Maltese: Tajjeb

25. Honey (Aasal – عسل) in Maltese: Għasel

26. Milk (Halib – حليب) in Maltese: Ħalib

27. Chest (Sidr – صدر) in Maltese: Sidru

28. Not (Mesh – مِش) in Maltese: Mish

29. Flower (Warda – وردة) in Maltese: Warda

30. Come (Eja – إجى) in Maltese: Ejja

31. Bon appetit (Sahtein – صحتين) in Maltese: Sahtein (used informally, saħħa tajjeb is also used)

32. Day (Yawm – يوم) in Maltese: Jum

33. Brother (Khay – خي) in Maltese: Aħwa

34. Friend (Sahib – صاحب) in Maltese: Sahib

35. Cat (Qot – قط) in Maltese: Qattus

Did you enjoy reading about these Arabic words that we have in common with Maltese? You might also like: 31 Arabic Words We Use That Are Also Found In Spanish