xiex
/ʃɪːʃ/
The Maltese word for "what" is xiex. Wiktionary also lists x’.
Meaning: what? (interrogative pronoun) (pron)
Ways to say it
| Maltese | IPA |
|---|---|
| xiex | /ʃɪːʃ/ |
| x’ |
xiex is an interrogative pronoun.
Which one should you use?
The form x’ is used in the question X’jismek?
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃɪːʃ/
Did you know?
- The word xiex is a linguistic double-contraction. It was formed by adding a contracted sound to an earlier word that was already a contraction of the Arabic phrase for 'what thing'.
- Because Maltese heavily incorporates Italian and English, you may hear people use xiex in a sentence alongside words borrowed from Romance languages.
- The shortened form x’ is so common in Maltese that it often appears as a single-letter word attached to the beginning of other words with an apostrophe.
Examples in context
- X’jismek?What is your name?This sentence shows how to use the contracted form x’ to ask for someone's name.Tatoeba #1816749 by pne, translation #70623 by frpzzd
- X'għandek msieħba?What's up, friend?
Example conversation
Maria and Kurt are discussing a gift for a friend.
- MariaXiex se nixtrilu?What are we going to buy him?
- KurtNajen li jħobb il-ktuba.I know that he loves books.
- MariaImdawwal, nistruċċi ktieb!Exactly, let's buy a book!
- KurtMialta, idea tajba.Indeed, a good idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “what” translations and entries xiex, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries xiex, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
