د . إAEDSRر . س

11 Phrases You’ll Hear At Every Maltese Family Lunch

Article Featured Image

Nothing says more about a nation’s culture than what goes down during family gatherings. And in Malta, no family gathering exists which doesn’t revolve around food. Here are the eleven phrases to listen out for at your next family lunch.

1. ‘Kemm għandek nadif!’

(‘Your place is so clean!’)

You know they’re judging.

Impressive

2. ‘Uwajma x’qadtu ġġibu?’

(‘You shouldn’t have brought anything!’)

It’s your turn to feign surprise as each family member, like the three kings, hands you a Pannettone or 6-pack of Sprite they themselves received and have been trying to get rid of for ages.

Ezgif Com Add Text 50

3. ‘Uwajma x’qadt taqla?!’

(‘Why did you prepare so much?!’)

Once the guests have set their eyes on the buffet you’ve concocted, this predictable phrase will slide its way into the conversation. Probably by the female guests, while the males are engrossed in the usual football issues.

Ezgif Com Add Text 53

4. ‘Xi skiet waqa!’

(Everybody’s gone so quiet!)

The food has been served and there’s that sudden silence you hear a split second before an orchestra begins playing. And it’s probably the only silence you’ll get all afternoon, apart from when everyone is dying from food coma on your sofa, so lap it up.

Ezgif Com Add Text 49

5. ‘Ma tfajtx biżżejjed melħ, hux…’

(‘I didn’t put enough salt, right…’)

The sudden silence makes the host uneasy and a tad paranoid. It’s also the host’s way of fishing for compliments when everyone’s mouth is too full to offer a ‘Prosit ħi, kif għamilthom il-patata?’ themselves.

Ezgif Com Add Text 55

6. ‘Taf min miet?’

(‘Do you know who’s died?’)

Leave it to nanna to break the good vibes.

Ezgif Com Add Text 54

7. ‘M’għoġbokx il-fried kale?’

(‘Don’t you like the fried kale?’)

Because the only reason anyone would leave a crumb in Malta is the fact that it tastes like shit.

Ezgif Com Add Text 56

8. ‘Kemm għandek ħara u nejk’

(‘You’re so fussy and spoilt.’)

…followed by a speech about how different things were ‘back in the day’ and how they were forced to eat everything.

Ezgif Com Crop 11

‘Qas ideja m’għandkom x’għaks kien hemm dak iż-żmien!’

Anyone a generation older than you

9. ‘Lanqas kellkom ġuħ, ja qatta qżieqez!’

(‘You weren’t hungry at all, you bunch of pigs’)

Despite the previous ‘X’qadt taqla Dor!?’ cries of disbelief, the only food left is the mashed mess baby Ferdinand left all over the table and chair.

Ezgif Com Add Text 57

10. ‘Fuq ħassa għaddej Gary.’

(‘Gary is getting by on lettuce’)

Seven minutes have passed since the main course which can only mean one thing; dessert. There’s always that one person in the family who, no matter how much he’s already eaten, will take a triple serving of dessert. That person here is Gary.

Gary

11. ‘Ngħinek f’xi ħaga?’

(‘Can I help with anything?’)

Asked while putting on their shoes and packing their bags, hoping to God the answer is ‘Le, ara ma jfettillekx!’

Ezgif Com Add Text 58

So next time you’re having a family lunch, tick these boxes as they happen in this exact order.

Tag a family member who can relate!

READ NEXT: 17 Reasons Why Timpana Is Definitely The Best Thing Ever Created

You may also love

View All