kelb
/kɛlp/masculine
The Maltese word for dog is kelb. Wiktionary also lists kelba.
Meaning: animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Maltese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| kelb | /kɛlp/ | masculine |
| kelba | /ˈkɛl.ba/ | feminine |
The word refers to the animal dog.
Which one should you use?
kelb is the masculine form, while kelba is the feminine form used specifically for a female dog.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun has two forms: the masculine kelb and the feminine kelba.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɛlp/
Did you know?
- In Malta, calling someone a kelb is a severe insult that carries much more weight and aggression than the English word 'dog'.
- Because Maltese is a Semitic language, kelb shares a common ancient root with the Hebrew word 'kelev' for dog.
- The word kelb is an inherited loan from Arabic, contributing to Maltese being the only Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet.
Examples in context
- Fl-interess ta’ iġjene tajba, aħsel idejk qabel tagħti l-pilloli lill-kelb.In the interests of good hygiene, wash your hands before administering the tablets to the dog.This sentence shows how to use kelb when referring to an animal receiving medication.
- Il-kelb huwa l-akbar avventura tal-ħajja.The dog is life's greatest adventure.
- Dak il-kelb huwa kbir ħafna.That dog is very big.
Example conversation
Andre and Elena are walking in a park.
- AndreAra dak il-kelb sbieħ!Look at that beautiful dog!
- ElenaIva, huwa jidher jidher ħelu.Yes, he looks sweet.
- AndreKemm jgħidilu s-simbolu tal-kelb?How much does the dog symbol say?
- ElenaMa nafax, imma jidher kwiċċina.I don't know, but he looks cozy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dog” translations and entries kelb, kelba, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kelb, kelba, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
