Basic Verbs

1. mar

   To go

   Usage

   The key motion verb; combine it with a destination

   Grammar Note

   Maltese cites verbs in the third-person masculine perfect; "mar" is "he went", and "I go" is "immur"

2. ġie

   To come

   Usage

   Used when a person or a vehicle arrives

   Grammar Note

   "He came"; "I come" is "niġi"

3. kiel

   To eat

   Usage

   The basic verb for anything about meals

   Grammar Note

   "He ate"; "I eat" is "niekol"

4. xorob

   To drink

   Usage

   For ordering or declining drinks

   Grammar Note

   "He drank"; "I drink" is "nixrob"

5. xtara

   To buy

   Usage

   Shopping verb; pair it with the item name

   Grammar Note

   "He bought"; "I buy" is "nixtri"

6. ra

   To see

   Usage

   For sightseeing, and for asking to be shown an item

   Grammar Note

   "He saw"; to look at deliberately is "ħares"

7. stenna

   To wait

   Usage

   For queues and for explaining a meeting arrangement

   Grammar Note

   "He waited"; "I wait" is "nistenna"

8. Irrid immur

   I want to go

   Usage

   The standard way to state a destination; add a place name

   Grammar Note

   "Irrid" means "I want"; add a destination with "għal" or "lejn"

9. Irrid niekol

   I want to eat

   Usage

   State what you feel like eating; add the dish name

10. Irrid dan

    I want it

    Usage

    Point at an item and say you would like it

    Grammar Note

    Say it while pointing; "dan" is the masculine "this"

11. M'għandix bżonnu

    I don't need it

    Usage

    Decline a bag, a receipt, or anything else you do not need

    Grammar Note

    "Għandi bżonn" means "I need"; the negative wraps it in "m' ... x"

12. Qed infittex

    I'm looking for it

    Usage

    Say what you are trying to find, place or object

    Grammar Note

    "Qed" marks the progressive; add what you are looking for

13. Għandi

    I have it

    Usage

    States possession; used to confirm tickets or bookings

    Grammar Note

    "Għand" plus "-i" means "I have"

14. M'għandix

    I don't have it

    Usage

    States you do not have it, e.g. no cash on you

15. Irrid niġbed il-flus

    I'll withdraw money

    Usage

    State your intent at an ATM or a bank

    Grammar Note

    A cash machine is "l-ATM" or "il-magna tal-flus"

16. Irrid nagħmel riżervazzjoni

    I'll make a reservation

    Usage

    For booking a table or a room

17. Tista' tgħinni?

    Please help me with it

    Usage

    Ask for concrete help: carrying a bag, working a machine

    Grammar Note

    "Tgħin" plus "-ni" means "help me"

18. Għidli, jekk jogħġbok

    Please tell me

    Usage

    Prefaces a question when you want information

    Grammar Note

    The imperative "għid" (say) plus "-li" (to me)

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