From Arabic حَقَرَ (ḥaqara).
ħaqar (imperfect jaħqar, past participle maħqur, verbal noun moħqrija or ħqir)
- to subdue, oppress, tyrannise
- to mistreat, neglect, be cruel to (especially a child or animal)
Traditional (lyrics and music), “Ja ħanina”, performed by Frans Baldacchino:F’ġieħ l-imħabba li ħabbejtek, jien nitolbok li ssabbarni.
Ġojja, ftakar li inti tiegħi, u tkomplix iżjed taħqarni!- For the sake of my love for you, I ask you to console me.
My joy, remember that you’re mine, and don’t torture me any longer!