dak
masculine
The English word "that" can be translated into Maltese as dak.
dak is used to indicate what is being indicated.
Meaning: what is being indicated (det)
Which one should you use?
The form you choose depends on the gender and number of the object you are pointing to. Use dak for a masculine object, but use dik if the object being pointed to is feminine. When referring to multiple objects (those), use dawk for masculine plural objects or dawn for both masculine and feminine plural objects.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the demonstrative changes based on the gender of the noun it modifies. Additionally, when "that" is used as a conjunction to connect a noun clause, such as in "I know that…", Maltese uses li instead of the demonstrative dak.
Did you know?
- Although Maltese is a Semitic language, the word dak is an ancient descendant of the Arabic word ḏāka, which was used over a thousand years ago.
- Maltese uses a specific set of demonstratives to indicate distance, meaning dak is used for things further away while dan is used for things close by.
- Using dak can sometimes function as a way to distance oneself emotionally from a topic, similar to how 'that' can feel more detached than 'this' in English.
Examples in context
- Ziri jrid dak issa.Ziri wants that now.Tatoeba #11673034 by Amastan, translation #10822752 by Amastan
- Ziri jista' ibiddel dak.Ziri can change that.Tatoeba #11667372 by Amastan, translation #10822135 by Amastan
- Ziri jrid Rima tagħmel dak.Ziri wants Rima to do that.Tatoeba #11673097 by Amastan, translation #10213058 by Amastan
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Paul and Maria are looking at a book in a store.
- PaulPaul, tħobb dak il-ktieb?Paul, do you like that book?
- MariaIva, dak huwa ħazin ħafna.Yes, that one is very sad.
- PaulGħalfekk, agħtini dak.Please, give that to me.
- MariaHawn hu, Maria.Here it is, Maria.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “that” translations and entries dak, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dak, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
