Maltese

Y.A.'s photo S.A.'s photo

The data were provided by Sandra Abela (Bremen, see the second picture above) in 2024. Additional information was provided by Valerie Olsson (Stockholm). The English version of the questionnaire was used for elicitation.

How to cite

Aquilina, Yana. 2025. Bivalent patterns in Maltese. In: Say, Sergey (ed.). BivalTyp: Typological database of bivalent verbs and their encoding frames. (Data first published on May 27, 2025; last revised on September 29, 2025.) (Available online at https://bivaltyp.info, Accessed on .)

Basic info

Coordinates: 35.89, 14.45.
Genealogy (as given in WALS). Family: Afro-Asiatic, genus: Semitic.
Macro-area: Europe.

Data

Subset examples by valency pattern

Subset examples by locus

1. feel pain kellu uġigħ

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Ġwanni	għandu	uġigħ	ta	ras
pn	have. ipf . m .3 sg	pain	of	head
‘Ġwanni has a headache.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

2. have (illness) kellu

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	għandu	l-influenza
pn	have. ipf . m .3 sg	def -flu
‘Ġwanni has the flu.’

3. be afraid beża'

Valency pattern: SBJ_minn

X: SBJ

Y: minn

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	jibża'	mill-kelb
pn	be.afraid. ipf . m .3 sg	from. def -dog
‘Ġwanni is afraid of the dog.’

4. throw tafa’

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	tafa’	ġebla
pn	throw. pf . m .3 sg	stone
‘Ġwanni threw a stone.’

5. have enough kellu biżżejjed

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

issa	Ġwanni	għandu	biżżejjed	flus
now	pn	have. ipf . m .3 sg	enough	money
‘Now Ġwanni has enough money.’
Note: Not included in the database because the intended meaning is expressed by a structurally discontinuous combination (predicate + adnominal modifier).

6. resemble xebah

Valency pattern: SBJ_lil

X: SBJ

Y: lil

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	jixbah	lil	Mark
pn	resemble. ipf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni resembles Mark.’
Note: The use of the preposition “lil” is obligatory with this verb. This is not an optional direct object marker.

7. believe emmen

Valency pattern: SBJ_lil

X: SBJ

Y: lil

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	jemmen	lil	Mark
pn	believe. ipf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni believes Mark.’
Note: The use of the preposition “lil” is obligatory with this verb. This is not an optional direct object marker.

8. take ħa

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	ħa	ktieb	minn	fuq	l-ixkaffa
pn	take. pf . m .3 sg	book	from	on	def -shelf
‘Ġwanni took a book from the shelf.’

9. see ra

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jara	dar
pn	see. ipf . m .3 sg	house
‘Ġwanni sees a house.’

10. influence effettwa

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

l-eta’	taffettwa	l-memorja
def -age	influence. ipf . f .3 sg	def -memory
‘Age influences memory.’

11. encounter ltaqa’

Valency pattern: SBJ_ma

X: SBJ

Y: ma

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	ltaqa’	ma’	Mark
pn	meet. pf . m .3 sg	with1	pn
‘Ġwanni encountered Mark.’

12. enter daħal

Valency pattern: SBJ_fi

X: SBJ

Y: fi

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	daħal	fid-dar
pn	enter. pf . m .3 sg	in. def -house
‘Ġwanni entered the house.’

13. win rebaħ

Valency pattern: SBJ_lil

X: SBJ

Y: lil

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	rebaħ	lil	Mark
pn	win. pf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni beat Mark.’
Note: The use of the preposition “lil” is obligatory with this verb in this meaning. This is not an optional direct object marker.

14. go out ħareġ

Valency pattern: SBJ_minn

X: SBJ

Y: minn

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	ħareġ	mid-dar
pn	go_out. pf . m .3 sg	from. def -house
‘Ġwanni went out of the house.’

15. drive ħa

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	ħa	l-baqra
pn	take. pf . m .3 sg	def -cow
‘Ġwanni is driving the cow.’

16. bend għawweġ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	għawweġ	il-fergħa
pn	bend. pf . m .3 sg	def -branch
‘Ġwanni bent the branch.’

17. tell qal

Valency pattern: SBJ_lil

X: SBJ

Y: lil

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	qal	lil	Mark: …
pn	tell. pf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni told Mark: :..’
Note: The use of the preposition “lil” is obligatory with this verb in this meaning. This is not an optional direct object marker.

18. hold kellu

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	għandu	ktieb	f’	idejn
pn	have. ipf . m .3 sg	book. sg	in	hand. du
‘Ġwanni is holding a book in his hands.’

19. catch up laħaq

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	laħaq	lil	Mark
pn	reach. pf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni caught up with Mark.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

20. milk ħaleb

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	ħaleb	il-baqra
pn	milk. pf . m .3 sg	def -cow
‘Ġwanni milked the cow.’

21. reach laħaq

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	laħaq	xatt	ix-xmara
pn	reach. pf . m .3 sg	shore	def -river
‘Ġwanni reached the bank.’

22. touch mess

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	mess	il-ħajt
pn	touch. pf . m .3 sg	def -wall
‘Ġwanni touched the wall.’

23. fight ġġieled

Valency pattern: SBJ_ma

X: SBJ

Y: ma

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	jiġġieled	ma	Mark
pn	fight. ipf . m .3 sg	with1	pn
‘Ġwanni is fighting with Mark.’

24. be friends COP + ħabib

Valency pattern: SBJ_ta

X: SBJ

Y: ta

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	ħabib	issa	ta	Mark
pn	friend. sg	now	of	pn
‘Ġwanni is now friends with Mark.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

25. think ħaseb

Valency pattern: SBJ_fuq

X: SBJ

Y: fuq

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	qed	jaħseb	fuq	Mark
pn	prog	think. ipf . m .3 sg	on	pn
‘Ġwanni is thinking about Mark.’

26. eat kiel

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	kiel	tuffieħa
pn	eat. pf . m .3 sg	apple
‘Ġwanni ate an apple.’

27. fry qela

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	qela	l-ħut
pn	fry. pf . m .3 sg	def -fish
‘Ġwanni fried the fish.’

28. wait stenna

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jistenna	lil	Mark
pn	wait. ipf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni is waiting for Mark.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

29. forget nesa

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	nesa	t-triq	l-oħra
pn	forget. pf . m .3 sg	def -road	def -other
‘Ġwanni forgot the other road.’

30. depend iddependa

Valency pattern: SBJ_minn

X: SBJ

Y: minn

Locus: Y

il-memorja	tiddependi	mill-eta'
def -memory	depend. ipf . f .3 sg	from. def -age
‘Memory depends on age.’

31. call għajjat

Valency pattern: SBJ_lil

X: SBJ

Y: lil

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	għajjat	lil	Mark
pn	call. pf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni called Mark.’
Note: The use of the preposition “lil” is obligatory with this verb in this meaning. This is not an optional direct object marker.

32. get to know sar jaf

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	sar	jaf	lil	Mark
pn	come. pf . m .3 sg	know. ipf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni got to know Mark.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

33. know af

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jaf	lil	Mark
pn	know. ipf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni knows Mark.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

34. play (instrument) daqq

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jdoqq	il-kitarra
pn	play. ipf . m .3 sg	def -guitar
‘Ġwanni is playing the guitar.’

35. avoid evita

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jevita	lil	Mark
pn	avoid. ipf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni avoids Mark.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

36. make għamel

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	għamel	nassa	tal-ġrieden
pn	make. pf . m .3 sg	trap	of. def -mouse. pl
‘Ġwanni made a mousetrap.’

37. make fun neka

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jinki	lil	Mark
pn	tease. ipf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni is making fun of Mark.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

38. have kellu

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	għandu	karozza
pn	have. ipf . m .3 sg	car
‘Ġwanni has a car.’

39. look for fittex

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jfittex	iċ-ċwievet
pn	search. ipf . m .3 sg	def -keys
‘Ġwanni is looking for his keys.’

40. paint żeba’

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	żeba’	ċ-ċint
pn	paint. pf . m .3 sg	def -fence
‘Ġwanni painted the fence.’

41. bite gidem

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

il-kelb	gidem	lil	Ġwann
def -dog	bite. pf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘A dog bit Ġwanni.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

42. forfeit tilef

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwann	tilef	id-dar
pn	lose. pf . m .3 sg	def -house
‘Ġwann lost his house.’

43. try to catch ipprova jaqbad

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwann	jipprova	jaqbad	‘il-qattus
pn	try. ipf . m .3 sg	catch. ipf . m .3 sg	def -cat
‘Ġwann is trying to catch the cat.’

44. break qasam

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwann	qasam	qasba
pn	break. pf . m .3 sg	stick
‘Ġwann broke a stick.’

45. flatter ikkomplementa

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jikkumplimenta	lil	Mary
pn	flatter. ipf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni is flattering Mary.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

46. love (person) ħabb

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jħobb	lil	Mary
pn	love. ipf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni loves Mary.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

47. wave xejjer

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jxejjer	il-maktur
pn	wave. ipf . m .3 sg	def -handkerchief
‘Ġwanni is waving a handkerchief.’

48. dream ħolom

Valency pattern: SBJ_bi

X: SBJ

Y: bi

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	joħlom	b’	karozza	ġdida
pn	dream. ipf . m .3 sg	with2	car	new
‘Ġwanni is dreaming of a new car.’

49. wash ħasel

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	ħasel	it-tazza
pn	wash. pf . m .3 sg	def -cup
‘Ġwanni washed the cup.’

50. put on libes

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	libes	il-qalziet
pn	wear. pf . m .3 sg	def -trousers
‘Ġwanni put on his trousers.’

51. be called sejjaħ

Valency pattern: DO_BARE

X: DO

Y: BARE

Locus: Y

din	l-għodda	jsejħul-ha	kumpass
prox	def -tool	call. ipf .3 pl - obj . f .3 sg	compass
‘This tool is called compass.’

52. punish ikkastiga

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jkkastiga	l-ibnu
pn	punish. pf . m .3 sg	def -son. poss . m .3 sg
‘Ġwanni punished his son.’

53. attack attakka

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

ors	attakka	sajjed
bear	attack. pf . m .3 sg	fisherman
‘A bear attacked a fisherman.’

54. fill (intr) imtela

Valency pattern: SBJ_bi

X: SBJ

Y: bi

Locus: Y

il-barmil	imtela	bl-ilma
def -bucket	be_filled. pf . m .3 sg	with2-water
‘The bucket filled with water.’

55. find sab

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	sab	iċ-ċwievet	tiegħu
pn	find. pf . m .3 sg	def -keys	poss . m .3 sg
‘Ġwanni found his keys.’

56. be short naqas

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jonqsu	ewro
pn	lack. ipf . m .3 sg	euro
‘Ġwanni lacks one euro.’

57. hate bagħad

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jobgħod	lil	Mark
pn	hate. ipf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni hates Mark.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

58. like għoġob

Valency pattern: DO_SBJ

X: DO

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

lil	Ġwanni	togħġbu	din	il-qmis
to	pn	please. ipf . f .3 sg	dem . prox . f	def -shirt
‘Ġwanni likes this shirt.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

59. need kellu bżonn

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	għandu	bżonn	il-flus
pn	have. ipf . m .3 sg	need	def -money
‘Ġwanni needs money.’

60. surround dawwar

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

is-swar	idawru	l-belt
def -walls	encircle. ipf . m .3 sg	def -city
‘Walls surround the city.’

61. remain fadal

Valency pattern: EXT&DO_SBJ

X: EXT&DO

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

Ġwanni	fadal-lu	10	ewro
pn	remain. pf . m .3 sg - obj . m .3 sg	num	euro
‘Ġwanni has 10 euros left.’

62. answer wieġeb

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	wieġeb	lill-għalliem
pn	answer. pf . m .3 sg	to. def -teacher
‘Ġwanni answered the teacher.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

63. open fetaħ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	fetaħ	bott
pn	open. pf . m .3 sg	can
‘Ġwanni opened a can.’

64. be different COP + differenti

Valency pattern: SBJ_minn

X: SBJ

Y: minn

Locus: Y

le,	l-flokk	tiegħi	differenti	minn	tiegħek
no	def -shirt	poss .1 sg	different	from	poss .2 sg
‘No, my shirt is different from yours.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

65. fall behind waqa’ lura

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	waqa’	lura	Mark
pn	fall. pf . m .3 sg	back	pn
‘Ġwanni fell behind Mark.’

66. plough ħarat

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jaħrat	l-għalqa
pn	plough. ipf . m .3 sg	def -field
‘Ġwanni is ploughing the field.’

67. smell rieħ

Valency pattern: SBJ_ta

X: SBJ

Y: ta

Locus: Y

idejja	jriħu	ta	gasoline
hands. poss .1 sg	smell. ipf .3 pl	of	gasoline
‘My hands smell of gasoline.’

68. cross qasam

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	qasam	it-triq
pn	cross. pf . m .3 sg	def -road
‘Ġwanni crossed the road.’

69. sing kanta

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	kanta	kanzunetta	sabiħa
pn	sing. pf . m .3 sg	song	beautiful. f
‘Ġwanni sang a beautiful song.’

70. write kiteb

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	kiteb	ittra
pn	write. pf . m .3 sg	letter
‘Ġwanni wrote a letter.’

71. drink xorob

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	xorob	il-ħalib
pn	drink. pf . m .3 sg	def -milk
‘Ġwanni drank the milk.’

72. melt ħall

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	ħall	biċċa	ċomb
pn	melt. pf . m .3 sg	piece	lead
‘Ġwanni melted a piece of lead.’

73. match qabel

Valency pattern: SBJ_ma

X: SBJ

Y: ma

Locus: Y

daċ-ċinturin	jaqbel	mal-libsa
prox . def -belt	match. ipf . m .3 sg	with1. def -dress
‘This belt matches my dress.’

74. leave ħalla

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	ħalla	l-belt	twelidu
pn	leave. pf . m .3 sg	def -city	birth. poss
‘Ġwanni left his native city.’

75. cover kesa

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

it-tapit	jiksi	l-art
def -carpet	cover. ipf . m 3 sg	def -floor
‘The carpet covers the whole floor.’

76. remember ftakar

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jiftakar	sew	id-dar
pn	remember. ipf . m 3 sg	well	def -house
‘Ġwanni remembers the house well.’

77. help għen

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	għen	lil	Mark
pn	help. pf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni helped Mark.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

78. understand (language) fehem

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jifhem	il-Franċiż
pn	understand. ipf . m .3 sg	def - f rench
‘Ġwanni understands French.’

79. hit (target) laqat

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Is-sajjetti	laqtu	d-dar
def -lightning. pl	hit. pf .3 pl	def -house
‘Lightning hit the house.’

80. cut oneself qata’ lilu nifsu

Valency pattern: SBJ_bi

X: SBJ

Y: bi

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	qata’	lilu	nifsu	b’	xafra
pn	cut. pf . m .3 sg	obj . m .3 sg	refl	with2	knife
‘Ġwanni cut himself with a razor.’

81. get stuck weħel

Valency pattern: SBJ_ma

X: SBJ

Y: ma

Locus: Y

it-tazza	weħlet	mal-mejda
def -glass	get.stuck. pf . f .3 sg	with1. def -table
‘The glass got stuck to the table.’

82. lose (game) tilef

Valency pattern: SBJ_kontra

X: SBJ

Y: kontra

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	tilef	kontra	Mark
pn	lose. pf . m .3 sg	against	pn
‘Ġwanni lost to Mark.’

83. be glad feraħ

Valency pattern: SBJ_bi

X: SBJ

Y: bi

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	feraħ	bl-ittra
pn	be.happy. pf . m .3 sg	with2. def -letter
‘Ġwanni was glad about the letter.’

84. speak kellem

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	qed	ikellem	lil	Mark
pn	prog	speak. ipf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni is speaking with Mark.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system. In a context like “speak to a wall” no preposition was used.

85. give birth welled

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Maria	weldet	iben
pn	give.birth. pf . f .3 sg	son
‘Maria gave birth to a son.’
Note: This is an example of the DOM system. With a proper name as the Y argument, preposition “lil” will be used.

86. drop waqqa’

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	waqqa’	t-tazza
pn	drop. pf . m .3 sg	def -glass
‘Ġwanni dropped the glass.’

87. govern igverna

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jigverna	l-belt tagħna
pn	govern. ipf . m .3 sg	def -town. poss .1 pl
‘Ġwanni governs our town.’

88. miss immissja

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jimmissja	lil	Mark
pn	miss. ipf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni misses Mark.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

89. follow segwa

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jsegwi	lil	Mark
pn	follow. ipf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni follows Mark.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

90. dismount niżel

Valency pattern: SBJ_minn

X: SBJ

Y: minn

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	niżel	minn	fuq	iż-żiemel
pn	go.down. pf . m .3 sg	from	on	def -horse
‘Ġwanni got down from the horse.’

91. listen sema'

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	qed	jisma’	r-radju
pn	prog	listen. ipf . m .3 sg	def -radio
‘Ġwanni is listening to radio.’

92. obey obda

Valency pattern: SBJ_minn

X: SBJ

Y: minn

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	dejjem	jobdi	minn	ommu
pn	always	obey. ipf . m .3 sg	from	mother. poss . m .3 sg
‘Ġwanni always obeys his mother.’

93. hear sema'

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jisma’	l-mużika
pn	hear. ipf . m .3 sg	def -music
‘Ġwanni hears the music.’

94. mix tħallat

Valency pattern: SBJ_ma

X: SBJ

Y: ma

Locus: Y

l-għasel	tħallat	mal-ħalib
def -honey	be.mixed. pf . m 3 sg	with1. def -milk
‘The honey got mixed with the milk.’

95. look ħares

Valency pattern: SBJ_lejn

X: SBJ

Y: lejn

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	qed	iħares	lejn	is-sħab
pn	prog	look. ipf . m .3 sg	towards	def -clouds
‘Ġwanni is looking at the clouds.’

96. take off neħħa

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	neħħa	l-qmis
pn	remove. pf . m .3 sg	def -shirt
‘Ġwanni took off his shirt.’

97. dream (sleeping) ħolom

Valency pattern: SBJ_bi

X: SBJ

Y: bi

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	joħlom	b’	Mark
pn	dream. ipf . m .3 sg	with2	pn
‘Ġwanni dreams about Mark.’

98. agree qabel

Valency pattern: SBJ_ma

X: SBJ

Y: ma

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	qabel	ma	Mark
pn	match. pf . m .3 sg	with1	pn
‘Ġwanni agreed with Mark.’

99. have a quarrel kellu ġlieda

Valency pattern: SBJ_ma

X: SBJ

Y: ma

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	kellu	ġlieda	ma	Mark
pn	have. pf . m .3 sg	quarrel	with1	pn
‘Ġwanni had a quarrel with Mark.’

100. cost sewa

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

din	it-tazza	tiswi	ewro	wieħed
prox	def -cup	cost. ipf . f .3 sg	euro	num
‘This cup costs one euro.’

101. shoot at spara

Valency pattern: SBJ_lil

X: SBJ

Y: lil

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	spara	lil	għasfur
pn	shoot. pf . m .3 sg	to	bird
‘Ġwanni shot at the bird.’
Note: The use of the preposition “lil” is obligatory with this verb. This is not an optional direct object marker.

102. pour tefa’

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	tefa’	z-zokkar	fit-tazza
pn	pour. pf . m .3 sg	def -sugar	in. def -cup
‘Ġwanni poured the sugar into the cup.’

103. lose tilef

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	tilef	iċ-ċwievet	tiegħu
pn	lose. pf . m .3 sg	def -keys	poss . m .3 sg
‘Ġwanni lost his keys.’

104. sink għereq

Valency pattern: SBJ_fi

X: SBJ

Y: fi

Locus: Y

iz-zokk	għereq	fl-ilma
def -log	sink. pf . m .3 sg	in. def -water
‘The log sank in the water.’

105. kill qatel

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	qatel	lil	Mark
pn	kill. pf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni killed Mark.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

106. hit laqat

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	laqat	lil	Mark
pn	hit. pf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni hit Mark.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

107. kiss bies

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	bies	lil	Mary
pn	kiss. pf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni kissed Mary.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

108. read qara

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	qara	ktieb	interessanti
pn	read. pf . m .3 sg	book	interesting
‘Ġwanni read an interesting book.’

109. move (bodypart) ċaqlaq

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	ċaqlaq	sebgħu
pn	move. pf . m .3 sg	finger. poss . m .3 sg
‘Ġwanni moved his finger.’

110. respect irrispetta

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jirrispetta	lil	Mark
pn	respect. ipf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni respects Mark.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

111. be squeamish tqażżeż

Valency pattern: SBJ_minn

X: SBJ

Y: minn

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	jitqażżeż	mill-platti	maħmuġin
pn	be.disgusted. ipf . m .3 sg	from-plates	dirty. pl
‘Ġwanni is squeamish about dirty dishes.’

112. be content COP + kuntent

Valency pattern: SBJ_bi

X: SBJ

Y: bi

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	kuntent	b	ibnu
pn	content	with2	son. poss . m .3 sg
‘Ġwanni is content with his son.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

113. fall in love sar iħobb

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	sar	iħobb	lil	Mary
pn	come. pf . m .3 sg	love. ipf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni fell in love with Mary.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

114. trust fada

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jifdi	lil	Mary
pn	trust. ipf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni trusts Mary.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

115. sympathise ħass

Valency pattern: SBJ_ghal

X: SBJ

Y: ghal

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	jħoss	għal	ommu
pn	feel. ipf . m .3 sg	for	mother. poss . m .3 sg
‘Ġwanni sympathises with his mother.’

116. envy għer

Valency pattern: SBJ_ghal

X: SBJ

Y: ghal

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	jgħir	għal	Mark
pn	be.jealous. ipf . m .3 sg	for	pn
‘Ġwanni envies Mark.’

117. be angry rrabja

Valency pattern: SBJ_ghal

X: SBJ

Y: ghal

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	rrabjat	għal	Mark
pn	be.angry. ipf . m .3 sg	for	pn
‘Ġwanni is angry with Mark.’

118. be surprised COP + sorpriż

Valency pattern: SBJ_bi

X: SBJ

Y: bi

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	kien	sorpriż	bir-rigal
pn	be. pf . m .3 sg	surprised	with2. def -present
‘Ġwanni was surprised at this gift.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

119. love (tea) ħabb

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jħobb	it-te
pn	love. ipf . m .3 sg	def -tea
‘Ġwanni loves tea.’

120. enjoy ħa gost

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jieħu	gost	t-te	sħun
pn	take. ipf . m .3 sg	pleasure	def -tea	hot
‘Ġwanni enjoys hot tea.’

121. want ried

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jrid	mowbajl	ġdid
pn	want. ipf . m .3 sg	mobile.phone	new
‘Ġwanni wants a new mobile phone.’

122. have a grudge kellu lgeddum

Valency pattern: SBJ_ghal

X: SBJ

Y: ghal

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	għandu	l-geddum	għal	Mark
pn	have. ipf . m .3 sg	def -chin	for	pn
‘Ġwanni has a grudge against Mark.’

123. take offence kien offiż

Valency pattern: SBJ_minn

X: SBJ

Y: minn

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	kien	offiż	minn	Mark
pn	be. pf . m .3 sg	offence	from	pn
‘Ġwanni took offence at Mark.’
Note: This is a passive construction.

124. upset ta kedda

Valency pattern: SBJ_lil

X: SBJ

Y: lil

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	ta	kedda	kbira	lil	Mark
pn	give. pf . m .3 sg	worry	big. f	to	pn
‘Ġwanni greatly upset Mark.’
Note: The use of the preposition “lil” is obligatory here. This is not an optional direct object marker.

125. marvel COP + immeraviljat

Valency pattern: SBJ_bi

X: SBJ

Y: bi

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	kien	immeraviljat	bil-belt
pn	be. pf . m .3 sg	marveled	with2. def -town
‘Ġwanni marvelled at this town.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

126. despise iddisprezza

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jiddisprezza	lil	Mark
pn	despise. ipf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni despises Mark.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

127. get upset ħa kedda

Valency pattern: SBJ_minhabba

X: SBJ

Y: minhabba

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	ħa	kedda	minħabba	ibnu
pn	take. pf . m .3 sg	worry	because.of	son. poss . m .3 sg
‘Ġwanni got upset because of his son.’

128. get irritated tnerveż

Valency pattern: SBJ_ma

X: SBJ

Y: ma

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	qed	jitnerveż	ma’	bintu
pn	prog	get.irritated. ipf . m .3 sg	with1	daughter. poss . m .3 sg
‘Ġwanni is getting irritated with his daughter.’

129. be fond ħabb

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Ġwanni	jħobb	lil	Mary
pn	love. ipf . m .3 sg	to	pn
‘Ġwanni is fond of Mary.’
Note: The preposition “lil” is not obligatory with this verb. This is an example of the DOM system.

130. be shy ħass mbarazzat

Valency pattern: SBJ_bi

X: SBJ

Y: bi

Locus: Y

Ġwanni	jħossu	mbarazzat	bit-tul	tiegħu
pn	feel. ipf . m .3 sg	embarrassed	with2. def -height	poss . m .3 sg
‘Ġwanni is embarrassed about his height.’