How to Say “Rat” in Maltese

By Derek Declan • Updated October 2, 2026

far

/faːr/

The Maltese word for 'rat' is far.

far is a noun used to refer to the rodent.

Meaning: rodent (noun)

How do you pronounce it?

The pronunciation is /faːr/.

Did you know?

The root of far is related to the Arabic verb fāra, which can describe the action of boiling over or swelling.
In Maltese, the same word far is frequently used to describe both rats and mice.
While far refers to the animal, Maltese uses specific idiomatic expressions involving rodents to describe greed or sneaking.

Examples in context

Il-far kiber ħafna.
The rat grew very large.
Għandna far fil-kċina.
We have a rat in the kitchen.

Example conversation

Elena and Kurt are in the garden.

Elena

Kurt, ara dak il-far!
Kurt, look at that rat!
Kurt

Iej, huwa kbir ħafna.
Yes, it is very big.
Elena

Għalfeq il-bieb bsir.
Close the door quickly.
Kurt

M'inhux problema, Elena.
It's not a problem, Elena.

Sources

Wiktionary, “rat” translations and entries far, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries far, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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About The Author

Derek Declan

مرحبًا (Hello), I am Derek. As a lover of languages and cultures, I have an unstoppable passion for the Arabic culture and language. My wanderlust often takes me on journeys across the Arab world. Also, a self-proclaimed foodie, unleashing my culinary skills to recreate traditional dishes like hummus and bread, is my favourite pastime. My interest in Arabic also led me to Maltese, its Mediterranean relative written in Latin letters, and I now write guides on Maltese too. My interest in Arabic is not merely linguistic, but I indulge in breaking down societal norms and cultural subtleties.

Derek DeclanHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.

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