ħila

Maltese

Root
ħ-j-l
5 terms

Etymology

From Arabic حِيلَة (ḥīla, “ruse, maneuver”). The phrase لَا حِيلةَ لَهُ (lā ḥīlata lahu, literally “he has no maneuver”) is used with a similar meaning as in Maltese; and compare حَيْل (ḥayl, “power”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈħiː.la/

Noun

ħila f (plural ħiliet)

1. a way, the ability to do something

   M’għandniex ħila ngħinuhom. ― We have no way to help them.

2. a skill, a personal ability
   • 2018, Antoinette Borg, Amina, Merlin Publishers, →ISBN:

     U nissaħħar nisma’ dak it-tvenvin xħin tibda tiddwella mas-sikkina bil-ħila u l-ħeffa tal-aqwa gwerrier.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)