Why Do We Say ‘Mela’ So Much? The Word Every Tourist Asks About

If you have ever been to Malta or talked to a Maltese person, you have probably heard the word “mela” about a hundred times. Some people say it when they agree, some when they are surprised, and others just say it out of habit. So what does it actually mean?

Well… mela is a tricky word. It comes from the Italian word “allora”, which means something like “so” or “well then”. But in Malta, it has turned into something completely unique.

Here’s the fun part — mela can mean loads of things, depending on how you say it!

If someone says “Mela!” with a big smile, it might mean “Of course!”

If they say it slowly, like “meee-la…”, it could mean “duh” or “obviously”

If you hear it at the start of a sentence, it might just mean “so…”, like someone is thinking out loud

It’s kind of like a Maltese superhero word, it fits into almost any situation and helps people sound extra local.

Tourists are always confused by it, and locals love to explain it. But here’s the truth: sometimes people say “mela”without even realising it. It’s just that much a part of everyday life!

So next time you are in Malta and someone says mela, give them a smile and say it back. Who knows, you might be speaking Maltese without even trying!

#MaltaDaily