jekk jogħġbok
/ˈjɛk ˈjɔːd͡ʒ.bɔk/
The Maltese phrase for "please" is jekk jogħġbok.
jekk jogħġbok is used as an interjection to make a polite request. You can place this phrase at the beginning or at the end of your request to add politeness.
Meaning: interjection to make a polite request (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of jekk, meaning "if" and jogħġbok, meaning "it pleases you".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase, the verb jogħġbok is in the third-person singular form to agree with the impersonal subject "it".
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈjɛk ˈjɔːdʒ.bɔk/. The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- While jekk jogħġbok is the standard way to say 'please', Maltese speakers often use the word per favore in very formal or old-fashioned settings, borrowed from Italian.
- The verb jogħġbok comes from the same root as the word for 'liking' or 'pleasing'. In Maltese, you do not say 'I like this' but rather 'this pleases me'.
- The word jogħġbok contains a specific letter għ, which is a silent grapheme in modern Maltese pronunciation, making the word sound different from how it is spelled.
Examples in context
- Il-kont, jekk jogħġbok.The check, please.This sentence is useful for requesting a check using jekk jogħġbok.Tatoeba #1388593 by enteka, translation #1710 by brauliobezerra
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria is asking Justin to pass her the water.
- MariaJustin, il-taka, jekk jogħġbok.Justin, the water, please.
- JustinHawn hi, Maria.Here it is, Maria.
- MariaGrazzi ħafna.Thank you very much.
- JustinM'hemm xejreq.You're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “please” translations and entries jekk jogħġbok, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
