xiħ

Maltese

Root
x-j-ħ
5 terms

Etymology

From Arabic شَيْخ (šayḵ).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʃɪːħ/

Adjective

xiħ (feminine singular xiħa, plural xjuħ, diminutive xwejjaħ, comparative ixjeħ or ixjaħ)

1. (of people) old, elderly

   Antonym: żagħżugħ

   Coordinate term: (of things) qadim

2. (nominalised) an old man

Usage notes

• The synonym anzjan is sometimes preferred as more polite (like English “senior citizen”), especially in official or media parlance. Nevertheless xiħ remains a common and neutral word.