Language has had to drastically adapt to technology over the last couple of decades to keep up with the fast-paced life of the 21st century. While English has managed to do that perfectly with SMSing and Internet-speak, languages like Maltese might be a little behind in comparison. Well, we reckon it’s time for a change.

Inspired by a recent post on linguaphile Facebook group Għidha bil-Malti, here are 11 shorter ways of saying popular (and at times awfully long) Maltese phrases while messaging.

Għidha bil-Malti also proposed different apps which you can download to get Maltese characters on your phone, so you can throw in that ġ or ħ even while you go all shorthand. 

1. grz (grazzi)

A shorter way of expressing your gratitude, this has the exact same number of characters as its English equivalents 10x or thx. 

2. jj (jekk jogħġbok)

Speaking of English equivalents, this one’s even shorter than pls. 

Grz and jj are the ones that started this, and we can definitely see Għidha bil-Malti‘s suggestions kicking off big time.

3. sjr (sejjer)

A lot of people already use different derivations of this shorthand, and it’s all down to the dozens of verbs which all follow the same root (remember kiser versus kisser from school anyone?). 

Removing the vowels from these verbs (and their plural forms) is one of the quickest and easiest forms, and this one has nearly endless possibilities.

4. għt (l-għodwa t-tajba)

Why should English get all the fun with the super quick gm for good morning and Maltese get stuck with a whole phrase instead? 

Even shorter than bonġu (which can technically also be shortened to bnġ), make għt the first thing your friends see on their WhatsApp thread. 

5. wnt (wara nofsinhar it-tajjeb)

Similar to the above point, you can finally stop having to write half a sentence just to wish someone a pleasant afternoon.

6. lt (il-lejl it-tajjeb)

We’ve all been there; you’re dozing off with your phone in your hands (or your laptop on your… lap) and you want to end the conversation. You could throw in a quick gn… or if you’re feeling a little more patriotic, go for an lt!

7. ĦP (ħu pjaċir)

So close to hf (have fun) in English, and just as useful. 

8. EMH (ejja minn hemm)

One which is already used in certain circles, this one has the potential to go national. Show your excitement for the night ahead without having to write a mini-essay.

9. IBLS? (int bil-liba serjeta?)

If you’re in a state of shock and disbelief, you’re probably not going to feel like writing four whole words to express that. Ain’t nobody got time for that; throw in a quick IBLS and they’ll know exactly what’s up.

Throw it in as a Maltese version of SRSLY?

10. ĦTBD (ħrajt taħti bid-daħq)

English has got LOL, LOFL, LMAO, and even ROTFLMAO, but Malta only needs ĦTBD. 

11. MMN (Madonna Madonna no)

Solidify this little bit of Maltese meme history and express shock, anger, grief, or just sarcastic lack thereof with a simple three-letter abbreviation . 

Do you have any other favourite Maltese shorthands? 

Tell us in the comments and tag a friend who should start using these ASAP!

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David Grech Urpani

Lovin Malta's Head of Content, Dave has been in journalism for the better half of the last decade. Prefers Instagram, but has been known to doomscroll on TikTok. Loves chicken, women's clothes and Kanye West (most of the time).