Weather & Climate

1. Kemm hu sħun illum, hux?

   It's hot today, isn't it?

   Usage

   Common weather conversation opener in Malta

   Grammar Note

   "Kemm hu + adjective" makes an exclamation ("how ... it is"); heat is expressed with the adjective "sħun". The final "hux" is a tag question meaning "isn't it?"

2. Jidher li se tinżel ix-xita

   It looks like it will rain

   Usage

   Used when rain appears likely

   Grammar Note

   "Ix-" is a form of the Maltese article "il-", assimilating before "x" sounds

3. Maltempata qed toqrob

   A storm is approaching

   Usage

   Warning when Mediterranean storms approach Malta

   Grammar Note

   "Maltempata" is borrowed from Italian "maltempo" (bad weather)

4. Kemm hu frisk illum, hux?

   It's cool today, isn't it?

   Usage

   Used on cooler days in Malta

   Grammar Note

   "Kemm hu" expresses exclamation. "Frisk" is borrowed from Italian "fresco"

5. Tista' tgħidli l-previżjoni tat-temp?

   Please tell me the weather forecast

   Usage

   Politely ask for the weather forecast

   Grammar Note

   "Tat-" in "tat-temp" is ta' (of) fused with the article it- ("of the"); tal-, tad- etc. work the same way. "Temp" means weather/time

6. Għandi bżonn krema tax-xemx?

   Do I need sunscreen?

   Usage

   Ask before going out under the strong Mediterranean sun

   Grammar Note

   "Tax-xemx" (of the sun) comes from Arabic "shams" — Maltese retains Arabic roots

7. Għandi nieħu l-umbrella miegħi?

   Should I bring an umbrella?

   Usage

   Check whether to carry an umbrella

   Grammar Note

   "Umbrella" is an Italian loanword. Maltese has many Italian and English borrowings

8. Meta jkun l-istaġun niexef?

   When is the dry season?

   Usage

   Ask about Malta's dry summer season (June–September)

   Grammar Note

   "Niexef" is the adjective "dry" (of Arabic origin); it follows the noun "istaġun" (season)

9. Meta jkun iż-żmien tax-xita?

   When is the rainy season?

   Usage

   Ask about Malta's rainy winter season (October–April)

   Grammar Note

   "Żmien" (time/season) comes from Arabic "zaman". "Tax-xita" is ta' (of) + ix-xita (the rain) fused, meaning "of the rain"

10. Ix-xemx qawwija ħafna llum

    The sun is really strong

    Usage

    Describe the intense Mediterranean sun in Malta

    Grammar Note

    "Qawwija" derives from Arabic "qawi" (strong) — showing Maltese's Semitic core

11. xita

    Rain

    Usage

    Comes up when talking about or checking the weather

12. borra

    Snow

    Usage

    Comes up when talking about or checking the weather

13. riħ

    Wind

    Usage

    Comes up when talking about or checking the weather

14. xemxi

    Sunny

    Usage

    Comes up when talking about or checking the weather

15. imsaħħab

    Cloudy

    Usage

    Comes up when talking about or checking the weather

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