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 (ʔayyu šayʔ, literally “what thing”), exactly equivalent to Moroccan Arabic آش (ʔāš). Also cognate with Hijazi Arabic إيش (ēš), where the contracted vowel is different, however.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ʃɪːʃ/

Pronoun

xiex

(interrogative) what

Usage notes

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