se / ser + imperfect

A Future Event

Level 2

Se nidħol means “I will enter”; ser jidħlu means “they will enter.”

How It Works

Place se or ser before an imperfect agreeing with the subject. Write the particle separately; it does not take person endings. Compare se nidħol, “I will enter,” with ser jidħlu, “they will enter.”

Both particles are established Standard Maltese alternatives; future sa is also attested. In Standard Maltese, these particles can be used interchangeably. Context determines whether English “will” or “going to” best expresses the anticipated event.

Compare habitual nidħol kmieni with future se nidħol kmieni għada, “I will enter early tomorrow.” Standard negation uses mhux se. A preceding form of kien supplies a past prospective viewpoint.

Examples (3)

  1. Ser nidħol fil-ħanut wara l-ikel.

    I will enter the shop after the meal.

    Ser precedes a first-person singular imperfect.

  2. Marta se tipparkja hawn.

    Marta will park here.

    The verb agrees with the feminine singular subject.

  3. Se noħorġu għada filgħodu.

    We are going to go out tomorrow morning.

    Noħorġu carries first-person plural agreement.

How It Connects

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se / ser + imperfectLevel 2A Future Event

Learn This First

Introduce an invariant, separately written prospective particle before an agreeing imperfect. Contrast recurrence with an anticipated event and let context distinguish prediction from intention without treating the particle as a verb suffix.

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Words in This Pattern

se