Maltese edit

Maltese numbers (edit)
[a], [b], [c], [d] ←  2 3 4  → [a], [b]
    Cardinal: tlieta
    Attributive cardinal: (short form) tliet, (long form) tlitt
    Ordinal: tielet
    Adverbial: tliet darbiet
    Fractional: terz

Etymology edit

From tliet +‎ -t.

Pronunciation edit

Numeral edit

tlitt m or f

  1. long attributive form of tlieta
    Coordinate term: (short attributive form) tliet

Usage notes edit

  • The attributive forms are used before counted nouns.
  • The long form is often favoured in words containing fewer syllables and beginning with either an epenthetic vowel or a consonant cluster requiring an epenthetic vowel before the first consonant. In the latter case, the epenthetic vowel is added as in the following example: tfal (children)tlitt itfal (three children). Note, only select exceptional words such as (i)jiem, erwieħ or snin strictly warrant the long form, other words merely consider it optional and usage varies from speaker to speaker from time to time. That is to say tliet tfal is possible, but unlikely given the consonant cluster & monosyllabic nature of the word.