ġenna

Maltese

Etymology

From Arabic جَنّة (janna, “garden; paradise”), from whose plural also ġnien (“garden”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈd͡ʒɛn.na/

Noun

ġenna f (plural ġenniet)

1. (also religion) paradise (idealistic abode in this world, e.g. that of Adam and Eve)

   Synonym: paradijs

2. (religion) heaven; paradise (otherworldly abode of the righteous or justified)

   Synonym: sema

   Antonym: infern

Usage notes

• The use of the term “paradise” for “heaven” is much commoner in Maltese than in other traditionally Christian languages. Though such usage is not entirely alien to Christianity (cf. Luke 23:43), it is possible that this tendency is an inheritance from the Islamic period. Among Arabic-speaking Muslims, جَنّة (janna) is the normal word for the abode of the righteous.

Derived terms

• Alla jagħtih il-ġenna

 

Related terms

• ġnien