xiex

Maltese

Etymology

From x' + earlier *iex (what), of which latter x' is itself a contraction, thus a reduplicative formation. *Iex is from Arabic أَيُّ شَيْء (ʾayyu šayʾ, literally what thing), exactly equivalent to Moroccan Arabic آش (āš). Also cognate with Hijazi Arabic إيش (ēš), where the contracted vowel is different, however.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ʃɪːʃ/

Pronoun

xiex

  1. (interrogative) what

Usage notes

  • Used following a verb or preposition and in isolation. For details on usage, see the notes at x'.

See also

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