jaqaw

Maltese

Root
w-q-għ
2 terms

Etymology

Probably from jaqa’ (“it happens”, literally “falls”) + u (“and”), in the sense “it may so happen that ...”. Aquilina interprets the second part as the pronoun hu, but this seems less likely.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /jaˈʔaw/

Adverb

jaqaw

1. maybe, perhaps

   Synonyms: (commonest) forsi, (dated) jewwilla, (literary, rarer) jimken

   • 2018 [1977], Alfred Massa, L-Istar tal-Imgħoddi, 2nd edition, Horizons, page 18:

     “X’tagħmel, Rob! Isma’, jaqaw ċempiltli d-dar?” staqsejtu biex naqilbu ftit id-diska.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)