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Languages in Malta
The Maltese language, the role of English, Italian influence, the Maltese alphabet and pronunciation, language in government, education, business and daily life, with common phrases.
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Two official languages
Under article 5 of the Constitution, Maltese is the national language and both Maltese and English are official languages. Anyone may address the Administration in either language and must be answered in it; the language of the courts is Maltese, with provision for English in defined cases.
Key figures
Official languages
Maltese and English
Constitution, art. 5
Government of Malta — Laws of Malta · verified 01 Oct 2026
Every figure shows the reference period and the publishing authority. Statistics are refreshed when the source publishes a new release; see the source register for document details.
Common Maltese phrases
Pronunciation is approximate. Maltese uses the letters ċ, ġ, għ, ħ, ż and ie; most residents also speak English.
Courtesy
- GrazziGRAT-tsi
- Thank you
- Jekk jogħġbokyek YOJ-bok
- Please
- SkużiSKOO-zi
- Excuse me / sorry
- Iva / LeEE-va / LEH
- Yes / No
- MelaMEH-la
- So / well then (very common filler)
- Ma nifhimxma nif-HIMSH
- I don't understand
- Titkellem bl-Ingliż?tit-KEL-lem bl-in-GLEEZ
- Do you speak English?
Days
- It-Tnejn, It-Tlieta, L-Erbgħa
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
- Il-Ħamis, Il-Ġimgħa, Is-Sibt, Il-Ħadd
- Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Getting around
- Fejn hu...?FAYN oo
- Where is...?
- Il-karozza tal-linjail-ka-ROTS-sa tal-LIN-ya
- The bus
- Xellug / LeminSHEL-lug / le-MEEN
- Left / Right
- DrittDRITT
- Straight on
Greetings
- BonġuBON-ju
- Good morning / hello
- Bonswabon-SWAH
- Good evening
- Il-lejl it-tajjebil-LAYL it-TAY-yeb
- Good night
- Kif int?kif INT
- How are you?
- Tajjeb, grazziTAY-yeb, GRAT-tsi
- Fine, thank you
- SaħħaSAH-ha
- Goodbye / cheers (literally 'health')
Numbers
- Wieħed, tnejn, tlietaWEE-hed, TNAYN, TLEE-ta
- One, two, three
- Erbgħa, ħamsa, sittaER-ba, HAM-sa, SIT-ta
- Four, five, six
- Sebgħa, tmienja, disgħa, għaxraSEB-a, TMEEN-ya, DIS-a, AH-shra
- Seven, eight, nine, ten
Shopping
- Kemm?KEMM
- How much?
- Il-kont, jekk jogħġbokil-KONT
- The bill, please
- IlmaIL-ma
- Water
- ĦobżHOBZ
- Bread
Maltese
Maltese (Malti) descends from the Arabic spoken in Sicily and Malta in the Middle Ages, overlaid with Sicilian, Italian and English vocabulary. It is the only Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet and an official language of the European Union. The alphabet has 30 letters including ċ (ch), ġ (j), għ (usually silent, lengthens the vowel), ħ (h as in "hat"), ż (z) and the digraph ie.
English
English is spoken by the overwhelming majority of residents and is the language of higher education, most business, the gaming and financial sectors and tourism. Government forms, contracts and official notices are available in English. You can live in Malta without Maltese, but learning basic phrases helps with neighbours, older residents and village life.
Italian
Italian was the language of administration and the educated classes until the 1930s and remains widely understood through television and proximity to Sicily.
Language in daily life
- Government and courts: Maltese and English; court proceedings mainly in Maltese.
- Education: state schools teach in Maltese and English; the University of Malta and MCAST teach in English; international schools teach in English.
- Business: English in most companies; Maltese in local trades and public services.
- Media: newspapers, broadcasters and websites in both languages.
The phrase table below gives everyday expressions; pronunciation is approximate.
Sources & Verification
Verified 1 October 2026 against the sources below- Legislation
Constitution of Malta (consolidated)
Government of Malta — Laws of Malta
Constitution of Malta, consolidated text (legislation.mt)
- Published
- 21 Sept 1964
- Effective
- —
- Last checked
- 01 Oct 2026
- Status
- Active
Reference: MT-CONSTITUTIONOfficial requirement - EU Institution
European Union — Malta country profile
European Union (european-union.europa.eu)
Malta: EU member state since 1 May 2004; euro area; Schengen area; official EU languages Maltese and English; capital Valletta
- Published
- —
- Effective
- —
- Last checked
- 01 Oct 2026
- Status
- Active
Reference: EUROPA-MTOfficial requirement
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