Learn Maltese phrases with real classes in Malta Living

If you want Maltese phrases for beginners without opening a textbook, Malta Living, the Malta life simulator, has a classroom for you. Its Maltese classes don't just raise a number on your character: each one teaches you real words, with what they mean and how to say them. It's a free browser game, so whether you live on the islands, are moving here or just want to order pastizzi (flaky savoury pastries) like a local, it's a gentle way to learn Maltese online.

In real Malta, Maltese is an official language of the country and of the European Union, and it's the only Semitic language officially written in the Latin script. That's why words like Grazzi look familiar while others, like Jekk jogħġbok, need a little help to say.

Where the classes are

Classes are at the Lifelong Learning Hub in Msida. They run on weekdays from 09:00 to 14:30 and 17:30 to 20:30, and on Saturdays from 09:00 to 12:00, on Malta time. There are three courses, taken in order, priced in game euros:

1. Maltese for beginners: greetings, numbers and asking the bus driver. Free.
2. Maltese MQF level 1: everyday Maltese at the market and the band club, the village's music and social club. €34.94 for the course.
3. Maltese MQF level 2: everyday sentences. Also €34.94.

Each course has seven classes and then an exam. A class takes two minutes and the exam three. You can go to one class a day, so a course is a little habit across a week or so rather than a cram session. Everyone can enrol, whether you arrived as a tourist, on a work permit or as a local.

How a Maltese class teaches you

When a class starts, five phrase cards come up, one at a time. Each card shows the Maltese, the English and a simple way to say it. Once you've seen all five, tap Next: the quiz and it starts straight away.

The quiz asks what each phrase means, with three answers to pick from. Every right answer adds 3 points to your Maltese skill, on top of what the class teaches, so a perfect quiz is worth an extra 15. Get one wrong and the game tells you what it really means. You can skip the quiz if you're in a hurry: the class still counts.

Maltese words you'll learn

Each course has 21 phrases. Here are a few from the beginners' course, with the game's own guide to saying them:

• Bonġu (BON-joo): Good morning
• Grazzi (GRAT-see): Thank you
• Jekk jogħġbok (yek YOJ-bok): Please
• Skużi (SKOO-zee): Excuse me, sorry
• Saħħa (SAH-ha): Cheers, bye
• Kemm jiswa? (kem YIS-wa): How much is it?
• Il-kont, jekk jogħġbok (il-KONT, yek YOJ-bok): The bill, please

MQF level 1 moves on to days and places, like Għada (AA-da), tomorrow, and Ma nifhimx (ma nif-HIMSH), I don't understand. MQF level 2 gets you into proper sentences, including the one every visitor needs: Żewġ pastizzi, jekk jogħġbok (ZEWCH pas-TITS-see, yek YOJ-bok), two pastizzi, please. Bonġu is also the name of the island's paper in the game: our guide to Bonġu!, the island news has more.

Your Phrasebook, and practice

Every phrase from a class that counted goes into your Phrasebook, under Skills on your profile, with its meaning and how to say it. Your Maltese level also shows in the Identità app (named after the agency that handles residence papers), so you can watch each lesson add up.

Between classes you can Practise Maltese at the study tables at the hub, for free, as often as you like. Saying hello to the locals you meet counts as using your Maltese too.

Why Maltese matters in the game

Maltese is a skill like any other, and it opens doors:

• The civil service, at Identità, works in Maltese. It's one of the careers in our guide to jobs, shifts and promotions.
• If you came on a work permit, Maltese MQF level 2 is the level long-term residence asks for. Our guide to arriving as a tourist, on a permit or as a local has the rest.
• Locals start out fluent, at the top level, and a local's Maltese never fades.

For everyone else, Maltese rests for two weeks before it starts to slip, so a class now and then keeps it. Play Malta Living free in your browser and take your first class.

Questions people ask

How do you say thank you in Maltese?

Grazzi, said GRAT-see. It's one of the first phrases the beginners' course teaches in Malta Living, along with Jekk jogħġbok (please).

How do you say good morning in Maltese?

Bonġu, said BON-joo. For good evening, it's Bonswa (BON-swa).

Can you learn Maltese for free in Malta Living?

Yes. The game is free to play in your browser, the beginners' course costs nothing, and the two MQF courses after it cost €34.94 each in game euros, not real money.

How long does a Maltese course take in the game?

Each course is seven two-minute classes and a three-minute exam, one class a day, so eight class days per course (there are no classes on Sundays).