hieni

Maltese

Root
h-n-j
4 terms

Etymology

From Arabic هانِئ (hāniʔ, “happy”). The spelling with h instead of ħ is due to the fact that the Maltese root shows a mixed treatment of the onset. While hieni is pronounced with /ħ/, the noun hena is /ˈɛːna/, and the verbs henna, thenna allow both ways.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈħɪː.nɪ/

Adjective

hieni (feminine singular hienja, plural henjin or hienja)

1. happy

   Synonym: kuntent