lefaq

Maltese

Root
l-f-q
1 term

Etymology

From Arabic لَقَفَ (laqafa, “to seize, catch quickly”) with metathesis. In older Maltese the verb also meant “to gasp for breath”, which explains the semantic development. A similar use apparently exists in some Maghrebi dialects.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈlɛ.faʔ/

Verb

lefaq (imperfect jolfoq, verbal noun lfiq)

1. to sob

Conjugation

Conjugation of lefaq

		singular				plural
		1st person	2nd person	3rd person		1st person	2nd person	3rd person
perfect	m	lfaqt	lfaqt	lefaq		lfaqna	lfaqtu	lefqu
	f			lefqet
imperfect	m	nolfoq	tolfoq	jolfoq		nolfqu	tolfqu	jolfqu
	f			tolfoq
imperative			olfoq				olfqu