Photography

1. Nista' nieħu ritratt hawnhekk?

   Can I take a photo here?

   Usage

   Used to ask permission before taking a photo at a location.

   Grammar Note

   "nista'" is the first person singular of "jista'" (can); the apostrophe represents a suppressed vowel.

2. Tista' tieħu ritratt tiegħi?

   Can you take a photo of me?

   Usage

   Used when asking someone to take your picture.

   Grammar Note

   "tiegħi" is the genitive preposition "ta'" with a first person singular suffix.

3. Id-dawl huwa sabiħ għar-ritratti issa.

   The lighting for photos is beautiful now.

   Usage

   Used to comment on ideal lighting conditions for photography.

   Grammar Note

   "dawl" means "light" ("ħin" means "time"). "għar-ritratti" is a contraction of "għal + ir-ritratti" meaning "for photos".

4. Il-kamera tiegħi ma taħdimx.

   My camera is not working.

   Usage

   Used when your camera has stopped working.

   Grammar Note

   Maltese negation uses "ma...x" surrounding the verb (negation sandwich pattern).

5. Fejn hu l-aħjar post għal ritratt?

   Where is the best spot for a photo?

   Usage

   Used to ask locals or guides for the best photo spot.

   Grammar Note

   "fejn hu" means "where is it" and is a basic locative question structure ("post" is masculine, hence "hu").

6. Nista' nieħu ritratt miegħek?

   Can I take a photo with you?

   Usage

   Used to ask someone for a photo together.

   Grammar Note

   "miegħek" is the preposition "ma'" (with) plus the 2nd person singular ending (miegħi = with me, miegħek = with you, magħna = with us).

7. Il-flash ma jaħdimx hawnhekk.

   Flash does not work here.

   Usage

   Used to indicate that flash photography is not allowed.

   Grammar Note

   "hawnhekk" is a compound of "hawn" (here) and "hekk" (this), emphasizing location.

8. Ir-ritratt ħareġ tajjeb ħafna.

   The photo came out very well.

   Usage

   Used to compliment the result of a photo.

   Grammar Note

   "ħareġ" is the perfect/past form of "joħroġ" (to come out).

9. Nista' niżżel ir-ritratti fuq il-kompjuter tiegħek?

   Can I download the photos to your computer?

   Usage

   Used to ask permission to transfer photos to someone's device.

   Grammar Note

   "niżżel" is the 1st person singular imperfect of the verb "niżżel" (to bring down / download), "I download". After "Nista'" it gives "May I download ...?".

10. Ibgħatli r-ritratti bl-email, jekk jogħġbok.

    Please send me the photos by email.

    Usage

    Used to request that someone email you photos they've taken.

    Grammar Note

    "ibgħatli" combines the imperative "ibgħat" (send) with the dative "-li" (to me).

Browse all TravelPhrases languages