In Maltese, choosing between ġewwa and fi depends on whether you are emphasizing the physical interior of a place or just stating a general location.
| Word | Pronunciation | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Ġewwa | jo-oo-wa | Used as an adverb meaning “inside” or “indoors.” It highlights the physical containment. |
| Fi | fee | Used as a preposition meaning “in” or “at.” It usually precedes a specific noun. |
Examples of Use
- Ġewwa (Inside)
- “Idħol ġewwa.” (Come inside.)
- “Qiegħed ġewwa.” (He is inside / indoors.)
- Fi (In)
- “Fil-kaxxa.” (In the box.)
- “Fid-dar.” (In the house.)
- Note: When fi is followed by the definite article “the” (l-), it combines to become fil-, fid-, fit-, etc.
A Quick Tip
If you want to say “inside of [something],” you would actually combine them: ġewwa fi… (e.g., ġewwa f’qalbi — inside in my heart).
