Language/Maltese/Grammar/Negation
Hi Maltese learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be discussing the basics of negation in Maltese. Negation is an important part of any language, and it is essential to understand how to use it correctly in order to communicate effectively. We will look at the different ways to express negation in Maltese, as well as some examples of how to use them. So let's get started!
Negation in Maltese
Negation in Maltese is expressed using the particle mhux (pronounced /muːʃ/). This particle is used to negate a verb, adjective, or adverb. For example:
| Maltese | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Mhux jiena | /muːʃ ˈʤiːnɐ/ | I am not |
| Mhux qawwija | /muːʃ ˈqawːiʤɐ/ | It is not tasty |
| Mhux tard | /muːʃ ˈtard/ | It is not late |
| Mhux għalija | /muːʃ ˈɣːaliːʤɐ/ | He did not come |
The particle mhux can also be used to negate a noun phrase. To do this, the particle is placed before the noun phrase. For example:
| Maltese | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Mhux l-istudent | /muːʃ lisˈtuːdɛnt/ | Not the student |
| Mhux il-kittieb | /muːʃ ilˈkitːiːb/ | Not the book |
| Mhux il-ħamrija | /muːʃ ilˈħamriːʤɐ/ | Not the orange |
| Mhux il-ħin | /muːʃ ilˈħin/ | Not the time |
It is also possible to use the particle mhux to negate a whole sentence. To do this, the particle is placed at the beginning of the sentence. For example:
| Maltese | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Mhux qed nagħmlu xejn | /muːʃ ˈked nɐˈɣːmlu ˈʧeːn/ | We are not doing anything |
| Mhux qed nirringrazzjaw | /muːʃ ˈked niˈrːinɡraʒːjaw/ | We are not thanking |
| Mhux qed nippreżentaw | /muːʃ ˈked nipˈrɛzːɛntaw/ | We are not presenting |
| Mhux qed nikteb | /muːʃ ˈked niˈktɛb/ | We are not writing |
Practice
To improve your Maltese Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Related Lessons
- Future Tense
- Definite Articles in Maltese
- How to Use Have
- Present Tense
- Conditional Mood
- Possessive Case in Maltese
- Past Participle in Maltese
- How to Use Be
- Plurals
- Indefinite Articles in Maltese