A root containing għ

Level 3

Compare final-għ qata’ with tagħmel, whose root begins with għ.

How It Works

For final-għ verbs, qata’ ‘he cut’ illustrates root q-t-għ. The apostrophe belongs to ordinary spelling. Għ differs from the weak radicals j and w, although final-għ verbs can behave inflectionally like weak classes.

The imperfect tisma’ contains a person prefix and formative vowel. With a feminine subject it can mean ‘she hears’ or ‘she listens to’, according to the verb’s lexical reading. An initial-għ verb supplies a different contrast: tagħmel, from għamel, retains għ after its agreement material and means ‘you do/make’ or ‘she does/makes’. Thus an apostrophe is not a replacement for għ in every position. Preserve attested spelling rather than rewriting the verb from its pronunciation. Initial-, medial-, and final-għ verbs must be learned through their individual paradigms; these examples do not establish one conjugation for all positions.

Examples (3)

  1. Il-ħajjat qata’ d-drapp.

    The tailor cut the cloth.

    Qata’ illustrates final-għ apostrophe spelling.

  2. Marija tisma’ ħoss fil-kamra.

    Maria hears a noise in the room.

    Tisma’ has feminine singular imperfect agreement.

  3. Inti tagħmel il-kafè?

    Do you make the coffee?

    Tagħmel retains the initial root għ.

How It Connects

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A root containing għLevel 3

Learn This First

Compare final-għ apostrophe spelling with retained initial-root għ inside a finite form. Position and the lexical paradigm determine the written shape; the examples do not establish one conjugation for every għ-root verb.