għandi

Having Something

Level 1

Follow għandi with what you have: an object, time, an idea or another resource.

How It Works

The present possession forms are għandi (I), għandek (you singular), għandu (he), għandha (she), għandna (we), għandkom (you plural) and għandhom (they). Follow the selected form with the possession. This person-marked construction is often called a possessive pseudo-verb.

Compare Għandi ktieb., “I have a book,” with Għandi kotba., “I have books.” The speaker remains the possessor in both clauses. Possession also covers abstract resources, such as time or an idea. An independent pronoun can emphasize the possessor, but the ending already identifies that participant. The same family has locative uses, and a following imperfect verb can yield an obligation reading. Interpret the complete construction rather than translating every occurrence as ownership.

Examples (3)

  1. Għandi ċavetta ġdida.

    I have a new key.

    Għandi identifies the speaker as possessor; ġdida describes the feminine key.

  2. Għandek ħin illum?

    Do you have time today?

    Għandek addresses one person and introduces an abstract resource.

  3. Għandhom żewġ roti.

    They have two bicycles.

    The ending identifies plural possessors; żewġ precedes the plural noun.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

għandiLevel 1Having Something

Learn This First

Introduce the seven possession forms as a complete participant-marked construction. Compare having one book with having books to establish that the possessor selects the form.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.