Adjectives

1. kbir

   Big

   Usage

   For stating size, e.g. clothes or rooms

   Grammar Note

   Masculine; feminine "kbira", plural "kbar"

2. żgħir

   Small

   Usage

   The opposite of big; use it to ask for another size

   Grammar Note

   Masculine; feminine "żgħira", plural "żgħar"

3. tqil

   Heavy

   Usage

   Describe a heavy bag, often before asking for help

   Grammar Note

   Masculine; feminine "tqila", plural "tqal"

4. ħafif

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   Light in weight — a different word from "bright"

   Grammar Note

   Light in weight; feminine "ħafifa". Light in colour is "ċar"

5. għali

   Expensive

   Usage

   Opens a price negotiation

   Grammar Note

   Masculine; feminine "għalja", plural "għaljin"

6. irħis

   Cheap

   Usage

   Use it when hunting for a cheaper option

   Grammar Note

   Masculine; feminine "irħisa", plural "irħas"

7. sħun

   Hot

   Usage

   Hot to the touch — distinct from hot weather

   Grammar Note

   Hot to the touch; feminine "sħuna". For weather, "Hemm is-sħana"

8. kiesaħ

   Cold

   Usage

   Cold to the touch — distinct from cold weather

   Grammar Note

   Cold to the touch; feminine "kiesħa". For weather, "Hemm il-bard"

9. ġdid

   New

   Usage

   For asking for a new item or a different room

   Grammar Note

   Masculine; feminine "ġdida", plural "ġodda"

10. qadim

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    Old as in an object — not used for people here

    Grammar Note

    Old as in an object; feminine "qadima". Not used of people

11. żagħżugħ

    Young

    Usage

    For talking about a person's age

    Grammar Note

    Masculine; feminine "żagħżugħa", plural "żgħażagħ"

12. xiħ

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The word used for people; keep it apart from "old thing"

    Grammar Note

    Used of people; feminine "xiħa", plural "xjuħ". Objects take "qadim" instead

13. nadif

    Clean

    Usage

    For the cleanliness of a room or of water

    Grammar Note

    Feminine "nadifa"; "clean" only — beautiful is "sabiħ"

14. maħmuġ

    Dirty

    Usage

    For complaints, e.g. asking to change rooms

    Grammar Note

    Masculine; feminine "maħmuġa", plural "maħmuġin"

15. tajjeb

    Good

    Usage

    The most general word for a positive judgement

    Grammar Note

    Masculine; feminine "tajba", plural "tajbin"

16. ħażin

    Bad

    Usage

    For reporting something faulty or unwell

    Grammar Note

    Masculine; feminine "ħażina", plural "ħżiena"

17. qrib

    Near

    Usage

    Comes up constantly as an answer about distance

    Grammar Note

    "Huwa qrib?" is the standard question; it also works as a preposition

18. 'il bogħod

    Far

    Usage

    Check it to decide between walking and taking transport

    Grammar Note

    An adverbial phrase; "Huwa 'il bogħod?" is the traveller's standard question

19. kmieni

    Early

    Usage

    Early in time — this entry is about the clock, not speed

    Grammar Note

    Early in time; fast in speed is "mgħaġġel"

20. tard

    Late

    Usage

    Late in time; also used to report a delay

    Grammar Note

    Late in time; slow in speed is "bil-mod"

21. ħafna

    Many

    Usage

    A large quantity; handy for adjusting an order

    Grammar Note

    Works for count and amount; it follows the noun

22. ftit

    Few

    Usage

    A small quantity; use it to ask for less

    Grammar Note

    Works for count and amount; it precedes the noun

23. Hemm is-sħana

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Hot weather; many languages use a different word than for hot objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather uses the noun "sħana" (heat), not the adjective "sħun"

24. Hemm il-bard

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Cold weather; many languages use a different word than for cold objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather uses the noun "bard" (cold), not the adjective "kiesaħ"

25. ħelu

    Cute

    Usage

    Used broadly for people, things, and animals; also covers "sweet"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine; feminine "ħelwa"

26. cool

    Cool

    Usage

    Mainly about looks; an English loanword common in everyday speech

27. bnin

    Delicious

    Usage

    The word you will reach for most often at the table

28. inkredibbli

    Amazing

    Usage

    An expression of surprise and admiration

29. divertenti

    Fun

    Usage

    For describing an experience itself

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