ħu
/ħuː/
The Maltese word for brother is ħu.
The word ħu refers to a male sibling.
Meaning: male sibling (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
You can indicate relationships by adding possessive suffixes to ħu. For example, ħu can mean 'my brother'. Adding the suffix -k results in ħuk (your brother), while -h results in ħuh (his brother). For a female subject, ħuha means 'her brother'. If you are addressing a group, adding -kom creates ħukom (your brother, plural) and adding -na creates ħuna (our brother).
How do you pronounce it?
/ħuː/
Did you know?
- The phrase ħu is part of a language that uses a Latin alphabet to write a Semitic tongue, a unique hybrid in Europe.
- In Maltese culture, the word ħu is frequently used to describe a close male friend, similar to how English speakers use 'bro'.
- The word ħu is derived from the Arabic construct form 'aḵū', rather than the standalone word for 'brother'.
Examples in context
- ħukYour brotherThis example shows how to say 'your brother' using ħu.
- ħu ommhaHer mother’s brother, her maternal uncleThis example demonstrates how ħu can be used to describe a maternal uncle as 'her mother's brother'.
Example conversation
Maria is asking Andre about his family.
- MariaGħandek ħu, Andre?Do you have a brother, Andre?
- AndreIva, għandi ħu wieħed.Yes, I have one brother.
- MariaKif jissemma?What is his name?
- AndreIsmih Paul.His name is Paul.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brother” translations and entries ħu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ħu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
