għaliex

Maltese

Alternative forms

• għalxiex

Etymology

From underlying Arabic عَلَى أَيِّ شَيْء (ʕalā ʔayyi šayʔ, literally “on what thing”). By surface analysis, għal (“for”) +‎ *iex (“what”); see xiex for the latter. Cognate with Moroccan Arabic علاش (ʕlāš, “why”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /aˈlɪːʃ/
• IPA^(key): /aˤːˈlɪːʃ/ (archaic)
• Rhymes: -ɪːʃ

Adverb

għaliex

1. (interrogative) why (for what reason)

   Alternative form: għala

   Synonym: għalfejn

Noun

għaliex m

1. cause, reason, why

   Alternative form: għala

   Għadni ma nafx il-għaliex ― I still don't know the reason

Derived terms

• għax (perhaps)