Italian Phrases Maltese People Overuse – Part II
Like a Havana perv, Italian slides up behind us and inserts itself into our everyday speech.
Here are some more examples of Taljanati we’re prone to use:
1. Troppo tardi
When it’s just too late. Saying it in Italian makes it sound more dramatic.
Joe:
“Father, għandi x’inqerr. Ili nitrattjeni, imma aħjar nitkellem qabel ma jkun troppo tardi”
2. Mamma mia
The Italian equivalent of OMG! Also an iconic song by Swedish pop band Abba.
Fr. Renzo: “Għidli Joe…x’għamilt? Mamma mia, kemm drama dalgħodu!”
3. Sintendi
One assumes…loved by lawyers and others who strive to sound important.
Joe: “Father, sintendi, dan kollox confidential hux?”
4. Altrimenti
Otherwise…see point 3 for usage tips.
Renzo: “Mhux ovvja Joe! Qrara dejjem sigrieta, altrimenti għalxiex taħseb li qiegħed hawn?”
5. Si fa per dire
Sort of, speċi ta’, taf int…said with a sneer and a rotatory wrist movement for maximal effect.
Joe: “Tiftakarha lil Ramona, Father? Ħabiba ta’ Darlene din…insomma, si fa per dire ħabiba, għax xebgħet taqbzilha fuq ir-raġel!”
6. Che c’entra?
What’s that got to do with anything? X’għandu x’jaqsam? 3 syllables in Italian versus 9 in English and 4 in Maltese. Forza Azzurri!
Renzo: “Ija issa Darlene che c’entra? Mhux fuq Ramona kont se tgħidli?”
7. Da capo
From the top. Has a vaguely Mafia ring to it.
Joe: “Għandek raġun Father. Ha nibdilek da capo. Din Ramona insomma…”
8. Acqua passata
Water under the bridge. Sounds more forgiving in Italian…but forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting.
Renzo: “Ija ija, dik imqarba…darba kienet qabdet qabda mas-sagristan, imma insomma, acqua passata…kompli.“
9. Cioé
I mean, sort of…a midget cousin of si va per dire.
Joe: “Din bdiet tkellimni Facebook, u jien iċ–ċuċ irrispondejtha. Cioé, bgħattilha ritratt…”
10. Parole si, fatti no
All talk, no action. Mainly used when describing electoral promises.
Renzo: “U iva, b’daqshekk? Naf kif int Joe, parole si, fatti no…”
11. Naqla cinque
Literally, I’ll receive five. Meaning a slap. Probably on the face.
Joe: “Kien naqra pastaż ir-ritratt…qed niddejjaq ngħidlek Father, għax naqla cinque mingħandek.”
12. Jew vi jew va
One way or another. This is what happens when Maltese and Italian get drunk and have a bastard child.
Renzo: “U tkunx balalu Joe, jew vi jew va, trid tgħidli jekk tridni ngħinek.”
13. Tinkazza
Pissed off. Cazzo means “willy” in Italian. Why willies should annoy is beyond me.
Joe: “Qed nibza li se tinkazza…bgħattilha ritratt tiegħi bil-patata barra. U imbagħad…ma weġbitnix iktar.”
14. Vallapena
Corruption of “vale la pena“, meaning “it’s worth it” in English or “wertit” in Maltese. Usually said sarcastically.
Renzo: “Vallapena eh…”