Learning Albanian

Welcome to Learning Albanian.

Shqiponja është e madhe në Shqipëri. The eagle is big in Albania. është, 3rd pers. sing. for "to be" is a loan word from Latin

The name of the Albanian language in Albanian language is 'shqip' and the name of the country Albania is 'Shqipëri' (indefinite (later indef.)) and 'Shqipëria. (definite (later def.))

Q is the most far-out non-western compliance letter in the Albanian language. It is pronounced a sharp 's' like in chuck.

Both of these could be derived from the word sq.'shqiponja' == en."the eagle" or is it the other way around that shqip is so awesome that the name of the eagle then gotta be shqiponja.

First things to know

Albanian flag is very red and black (kuq e zi) and sq."Shqiponja ka dy kokat!" == en."The eagle has two heads!". ka is the 3rd person singular for 'to have'. dy means two. kokat is definite plural form of kokë, head

Nouns: first things to know

As you may notice the Albanian nouns have their article affixed to the end of the noun and not preceding it. Later-on code like this 'Shqipëri, -a' tells you that the definite form is formed by adding the definite article '-a' to it.

Albanian has 2 grammatical genders: masculine and feminine but worry not, sing. indef. nouns that end in a consonant are masculines and nouns ending in a vowel are feminines. Exceptions are if the noun clearly is of the other gender than the vowel/consonant rule would say.

Verbs: first things to know:

Albanian verbs have no infinite forms so all the dictionaries have them listed by the 1st person singular. This is handy for quickly learning to express what I do or what I would like to do.

Adjectives: first things to know

For those of you who know French you'll feel at home as adjectives and adverbs are placed after the noun also in Albanian.

Nouns and adjectives are connected by an adjectival article. For nominative these are 'i' for masculine and 'e' for feminine.

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Verbs

Albanian verbs are divided into 6 classes as follows:

1. Class 1 - Verbs ending in 'j'
2. Class 2 - Verbs ending in a consonant
3. Class 3 - Verbs ending in a vowel
4. Class 4 - Three verbs ending in 'i'
5. Class 5 - Irregular verbs
6. Class 6 - Verbs ending in '(h)em'

Class 1 verbs - end in 'j'

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Class 2 verbs - end in a consonant

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Class 3 verbs - end in a vowel

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Class 4 verbs - the three verbs ending in 'i'

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Class 6 verbs - end in '(h)em'

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Building up vocabulary

Ë is not pronounced when it is at the end of a word. When inside a word it is like the syllable "uh".

Knowing the first things to know about nouns and adjectives now would be a good time to consider starting to play the Basic Albanian 1 on Memrise. Memrise programs your brain slightly differently than traditional methods, but hey, how harmful can it be?

Albanian has a lot of loan words but they come from a wide variety of languages including but not limited to Latin, English, Italian, French, Slavic, Germanic, Arabic, Swedish etc.

Jamaican shares from Albanian the word 'I ri'. In Albanian 'i ri' means both new and young for masculine nouns. Corresponding form for feminine nouns is 'e re'.

Lists of loan words

The forms given for nouns are

1. Singular, indefinite
2. Singular, definite
3. Plural indefinite

• Online Etymology Dictionary is useful if in doubt whether a word comes from English or if it a loan word of theirs.

Mots d'emprunt pour francophones

These often come via Italian or are originally from Latin by which the words not so magically happen to often be the same in French. Jukeboksi (talk)

1. abazhur, -i, -e == un abat-jour == a lampshade
2. alkool, -i, -e == un alcool == alcohol
3. ambasadë, -a, -a == une ambassade == an embassy
4. ansambël, -li, -lë == un ensamble == a (performing) group
5. avion, -i, -ë == un avion == an airplane
6. avokat, -i, -e == un avocat == a lawyer
7. bibliotekë, -a, -a == une bibliothèque - a library
8. biftek, -u, -ë == un bifteck == a beefsteak
9. biletë, -a, -a == un billet == a ticket
10. bluzë, -a, -a == une blouse == a blouse
11. bursë, -a, -a == une bourse == this word means both, like in French, a stock exchange and a study grant for undergraduates
12. diskotekë, -a, -a == une discothèque == a diskotheque
13. dakord == d'accord == agreed, all right
14. divorc == un divorce == a divorce
15. ekspozitë, -a, -a == une exposition == an exhibition
16. emision, -i, -e == une émission == TV/radio show, program, broadcast
17. galeri, -a, - == une galerie == a gallery
18. gaz, -i, -e == un gaz == a gas
19. grevë == une grève == a strike
20. gri == gris == grey
21. grip, -i, -e == une grippe == a flu
22. ide, -ja, - == une idëe == an idea
23. inkonjito == incognito == incognito
24. interesant, -e == interesant == interesting
25. inxhinier, -i, -ë == un ingénieur == an engineer
26. kabinë, -a, -a == une cabine == a booth
27. katër == quatre == four
28. këmishë, -a, -ë == une chemise == a shirt
29. kimi, -a == chimie == chemistry
30. kuadër, -ri, -ro == un cadre == frame, setting
31. kurs, -i, -e == un course == rate, course
32. kuzhinë, -a, -a == une cuisine == a kitchen
33. lahutë, -a, -a == un luth == a lute
34. legjendë, -a, -a == une légende == a legend
35. librari, -a, - == une librarie == a bookstore
36. linjë, -a, -a == une ligne == a line
37. madhësti -a == une majesté == a majesty
38. maj, -i == maj == May
39. mandarinë, -a, -a == une mandarine == a mandarin
40. mars, -i == mars == March
41. më == me == me, to me (attn. më can be a number of other things to in sentences)
42. meny, -ja, - == un menu == a menu
43. menyrë, -a, -a == une manière == manner, way
44. mesazh -i, -e == un message == a message
45. miliard, -i, -ë == un milliard == a billion
46. milion, -i, ë == un million == a million
47. modë, -a == une mode == fashion
48. mur, -i, -e == un mur == a wall
49. muzë, -u - == un musée == a museum
50. natyrë, -a == une nature == a nature
51. oriz, -i == riz == rice
52. paketë, -a, -a == un paquet == a package
53. park, -u, -qe == un parc == a park
54. pasion, -i, -e == une passion == a passion
55. peizazh, -i, -e == un paysage == a scenery
56. periudhë, -a, -a == une période == a period, time
57. person, -i, -a == une personne == a person
58. personalitet, -i, -e == une personnalité == a personality
59. përqindje, -a, -e == un pourcentage == a percentage
60. pishinë, -a, -a == une piscine == a swimming pool
61. pistë, -a, -a == une piste == lane, floor
62. pjesë, -a, -e == une pièce == a piece
63. plazh, -i, -e == une plage == a beach
64. portë, -a, -a == une porte == a gate
65. pozicion, -i, -e == une position == a position
66. prezantim == présentation == presentation
67. principatë, -a, -a == une principauté == a principality, princedom
68. prozë, -a, -a == une prose == a prose
69. pulë, -a, -a == un poulet == a chicken
70. qershi, -a, - == une cerise == a cherry
71. qiell, -lli, -j == le ciel == the sky.
72. recepsioniste, -ja, -e == une réceptionniste == a receptionist (fem.)
73. rezultat, -i, -e == un résultat == a result
74. rigon, -i == origan == oregano
75. rol, -i, -e == un rôle == a role
76. roman, -i, -e == un roman == a novel
77. sallë, -a, -a == une salle == lobby, auditorium, room
78. sandale, -ja, -e == une sandale == a sandal
79. seri, -a, - == une série == a series
80. shans, -i, -e == une chance == a chance
81. shef, -i, -a == le chef == a chef, a chief, a boss
82. shifër, -ra, -ra == un chiffre == a figure, cipher
83. shofer, -i, -ë == un chauffeur == a driver
84. shurup, -i, -e == un sirop == a syrup
85. sistem, -i, -ë == un système == a system
86. strateg, -u, -ë == un stratège == a strategist
87. strategjik, -e == stratégique == strategic
88. studio, -ja, - == un studio == a studio
89. supë, -a, -a == une soupe == a soup
90. suvenir, -i, -e == un souvenir == a souvenir
91. tabelë, -a, -a == une table == (black)board
92. tarracë, -a, -a == une terrasse == a terrace
93. teatër, -ri, -ro - un théâtre - a theatre
94. teatralë, -e == théâtral == theatrical
95. teknik, -e == technique == technical
96. teknologji, -a, - == une technologie == a technology
97. temperaturë, -a, -a == une température == a temperature
98. transfertë, -a, -a == un transfert == a transfer, transaction
99. i,e trishtuar - triste - sad
100. temë, -a, -a == un thème == a theme, topic
101. tension, -i == une tension (artérielle) == blood pressure
102. traditë, -a, -a == une tradition == a tradition
103. trupë, -a, -a == une troupe == a troupe, company, band
104. universitet, -i, -e == une université == an university
105. valixhe, -ja, -e == une valise == a suitcase, baggage
106. vegjetal, -e == végétal == vegetable (adj.)
107. verandë, -a, -a == une véranda == a terrace, veranda
108. vitrinë, -a, -a == une vitrine == a shop window
109. vizë, -a, -a == un visa == a visa
110. vizitë, -a, -a == une visite == a visit
111. vizitor, -i, -ë == un visiteur == a visitor
112. vlerë, -a, -a == une valeur == a value

Loan words for Italian speakers

1. antipastë, -a, -a == un antipasto == an antipasti
2. argjend, -i == argento == silver
3. autobus, -i, -ë == un autobus == a bus
4. ballkon, -i, -e == un balcone == a balcony
5. biçikletë, -a, -a == una bicicletta == a bicycle
6. birrë, -a, -a == una birra == a beer
7. biskotë, -a, -a == un biscotto == a biscuit
8. bizele, -ja, -e == un pisello == a bean
9. çokolatë, -a, -a == una cioccolata == a chocolate
10. divan, -i, -e == un divano == a sofa, a couch
11. fitore, -ja, -e == una vittoria == a victory
12. forum, -i, -e == un forum == a forum
13. i,e fortë == forte == strong
14. garazh, -i, -e == un garage == a garage
15. gjigand, -i, -ë == un gigante == a giant
16. gjykatës, -i, - == un giudice == a judge
17. gusht, -i == agosto == August
18. higjenë, -a == igiene == hygiene
19. kakao, -ja, - == un cacao == a cocoa
20. kallamar, -i, -ë == un calamaro == a calamari
21. kamarier, -i, -ë == un camriere == a waiter
22. kamion, -i, -e == un camion == a truck
23. kapelë, -a, -a == un cappello == a cap (hat)
24. kapitull, -lli, -j == un capitolo == a chapter
25. kështjellë, -a, -a == un castello == a castle
26. krap,- i, krep == una carpa == a carp
27. klimë, -a, -a == un clima == a climate
28. libër, -ri, -ra == un libro == a book
29. limon, -i, -ë == un limone == a lemon
30. makinë, -a, -a == una macchina == a car
31. mit, -i, -e == un mito == a myth
32. mobilje, -a, -e == un mobile == furniture
33. nip, -i, -a == un nipote == a cousin
34. orë, -a, -ë == un'ora == an hour (or a clock)
35. origjinë, -a, -a == un'orignine == an origin
36. pacient, -i, -ë == un paziente == a patient (male)
37. paqe, -ja == pace == peace
38. papagall, -lli, -j == un pappagallo == a parrot
39. pantallona, -t == un pantalone == pants
40. patate, -ja, -e == una patata == a potato
41. patatinë, -a, -a == patatine == potato chips
42. peshk, -u, peshq == un pesce == a fish
43. peshkatar, -i, -ë == un pescatore == a fisherman
44. për == per == for, about
45. peshë, -a, -a == peso == weight
46. picë, -a, -a == una pizza == a pizza
47. pikant, -i, -ë == piccante == spicy
48. piktor, -i, -ë == un pittore == a painter
49. pjatë, -a, -a == un piatto == a plate, a dish, a course (food)
50. proshutë, -a, -a == un prosciutto == a ham (also means bacon)
51. salcë, -ë, -a == una salsa == a sauce
52. salsiçise, -ja, -e == una salsiccia == a sausage
53. sallatë, -a, -a == un'insalata == a salad
54. siguri, -a, - == una sicurezza == a security
55. skuadër, -ra, -ra == una squadra == a team
56. stilograf, -i, -ë == una penna stilografica == a fountain pen
57. tendencë, -a, -a == una tendenza == a tendency, trend
58. titull, -lli, -j == un titolo == a title
59. tortë, -a, -a == una torta == a cake
60. tradicional, -e == tradizionale == traditional
61. tren, -i, -a == un treno == a train
62. vazo, -ja, - == un vaso == a vaze
63. vilë, -a, -a == una villa == a villa

Loan words for English speakers

1. administrativ, -e == administrative
2. admirim, -i == admiration
3. aeroplan, -i, -ë == an airplane
4. aeroport, -i, -e == an airport
5. akademi, -a, - == an academy
6. aksident, -i, -e == an accident
7. aktiv, -e == active
8. aktivitet, -i, -e == an activity
9. aktor, -i, -ë == an actor
10. aleancë, -a, -a == an alliance
11. amerikan, -i, -ë == an American
12. amfiteatër, -ri, -ro == an amphitheater
13. antik, -e == antique
14. antikitet, -i == antiquity
15. antologji == an anthology
16. apartament, -i, -e == an apartment
17. arkeolog, -u, -ë == an archaeologist
18. arkeologjik, -e == archaeological
19. arkitekturor, -e == architectural
20. aromë, -a, -a == an aroma
21. artikull, -lli, -j == an article
22. artist, -i, -ë == an artist
23. artistik, -e == artistic
24. atmosferë, -a, -a == an atmosphere
25. audiencë, -a, -a == an audience
26. autoritet, -i, -ë == an authority
27. balet, -i, -e == a ballet
28. banane, -ia, -e == a banana
29. bankë, -a, -a == a bank
30. banknotë, -a, -a == a banknote
31. basketboll, -i == basketball
32. basketbollist, -i, -ë == a baskeball player
33. bazë, -ë, -a == a base
34. blu == blue
35. botanik, -e == botanical
36. brokoli == broccoli
37. celular, -e == cellular
38. ceremoni, -a, - == a ceremony
39. çek, -ku, -qe == a check (payment instrument)
40. datë, -a, -a == a date (time)
41. datoj == to date (time)
42. debat, -i, -e == a debate
43. dentar, -e == dental
44. dentist, -i, -ë == a dentist
45. derë, -a, dyer == a door
46. deshirë, -a, -a == a desire
47. deshiroj == to desire
48. dialekt, -i, -e == a dialect
49. dietë, -a, -a == a diet
50. diplomat, -i, -ë == a diplomat
51. diskutoj == to discuss
52. dixhital == digital
53. dizanoj == to design
54. dokument, -i, -e == a document
55. dokumentar, -i, -ë == a documentary
56. domate, -ja, -e == a tomato
57. edukatë, -a == an education
58. egoist, -i, -ë == an egoist
59. ekonomi, -a == economics
60. ekonomik, -e == economical
61. ekonomist, -i, -ë == an economist
62. ekskursion, -i, -e == an excursion
63. ekzekutues, -e == executive
64. elegant, -e == elegant
65. elektricitet, -i == electricity
66. elektronik, -e == electronic
67. i famshëm, e famshme == famous
68. fazë, -a, -a == a phase
69. estetik, -e == aesthetic
70. fakt, -i, -e == a fact
71. fanellë, -a, -a == a flannel shirt, undershirt
72. i favorishëm, e -me == favourable
73. festival, -i, -e - a == festival
74. financier, -i, -ë == a finacier
75. formë, -a, -a == a form, shape (paper or digital form is formular)
76. formoj == to form
77. galeri, -a, - == a gallery
78. gradë, -a, -a == a grade, quality
79. hero, -i, -nj == a hero
80. imejl == email (also postë elektronike, email or e-mail)
81. intergritet == integrity
82. itinerar, -i, -e == an itinerary
83. informativ == informative
84. janar, -i == January
85. ju == you
86. katastrofë, -a, -a == a catastrophe
87. klub, -i, -e == a club
88. kopjoj == to copy
89. kupë, -a, -a == a cup
90. letër, -ra, -ra == a letter, a card
91. lider == a leader
92. menaxher, -i, -ë == a manager
93. mineral == mineral
94. muzikë, -a == music
95. oksigjen, -i, -e == oxygen
96. pako, -ja, - == a pack, packet, parcel
97. park, -ku, -qe == a park
98. periudhë, -a, -a == a period
99. ping-pong == ping-pong, table tennis
100. piper, -i == pepper (table spice)
101. pjek == to bake
102. plan, -i, -e == a plan
103. poet, -i, -ë == a poet
104. polifoni, -a, - == a polyphony
105. popullor, -e == popular
106. porcelan, -i == porcelain
107. postë, -a, -a == mail, post office post
108. prill, -i == April
109. qendër, -a, -a == a center
110. radio, -ja, - == a radio
111. recital, -i, -e == a recital
112. restorant, -i, -e == a restaurant
113. reumatizëm, -mi, -ma == rheumatism
114. i,e saktë == exact
115. sandale == sandals
116. sanduiç, -i, -ë == a sandwich
117. sekret, -i, -e == a secret
118. sekretar, -i, -ë == a secretary
119. sekt, -i, -e == a sect
120. semestër, -ri, -ra == a semester
121. seminar, -i, -e == a seminar
122. sezon, -i, -e == a season
123. shkollë, -a, -a == a school
124. shtet, -i, -e == a state, country
125. simbolik, -e == symbolic, very cheap
126. simptomë, -a, -a == a symptom
127. sinjal, -i, -e == a signal
128. i,e sinqertë == sincere
129. situatë, -a, -a == a situation, condition
130. social, -e == social
131. solemn, -e == solemn, gala
132. specifikë, -a, -a == a specific feature
133. spektakël, -li, -le == a spectacle
134. spektator, -i, -ë == a spectator
135. spinaq, -i == spinach
136. spital, -i, -e == a hospital
137. sporadik, -e == sporadic
138. statut, -i, -e == a statute
139. sukses, -i, -e == success
140. stomak, -u, -ë == a stomach
141. stres, -i == stress
142. studioj == to study
143. taksi, -a, - == a taxi
144. tekst, -i, -e == a text
145. telefon, -i, -a == a telephone
146. telefon celular == a cell phone
147. tempull, -lli, -j == a temple
148. transferim, -i, -e == a transfer
149. turist, -i, -ë == a tourist
150. turistik, -e == touristic
151. vaksinë, -a, -a == a vaccine
152. vanilje, -a == vanilla
153. variant, -i, -e == a variant, variation
154. vëllim, -i, -e == volume
155. vitaminë, -a, -a == a vitamin
156. vizitoj == to visit
157. volejboll, -i == volleyball
158. xhaketë, -a, -a == a jacket
159. xhinse == jeans, denim
160. zero == zero
161. zonë, -a, -a == zone, area, region

Loan words for Swedish speakers / Lån ord för svensktalande

1. fabrikë == en fabrik - a factory
2. konkurrencë == en konkurrens - competition (market)
3. natë, -e, net == en natt - a night.
4. provë, -a, -a == ett prov == a test, experiment, fitting
5. provoj == prova == to try
6. radhë -a, -ë == en rad == a row
7. shkumë == en skum == a foam

Loan words for Russian speakers

1. banjë, -a, -a == ванная == bathroom
2. bankomat, -i, -e == Банкомат == an ATM
3. çaj, -i == чай == tea
4. diabet, -i == диабет == diabetes
5. gazetë, -a,- a == газета == a newspaper
6. jug == юг == south
7. kukull, -a, -a == кукла == a doll
8. pallto, -ja, - == пальто == a coat
9. shah, -u == шах == chess
10. televizor, -i, -ë == телевизор == television set
11. ti == ты == you (singular)

Loan words for Turkish speakers

1. bakllava, -ja, - == baklava == baklava
2. byrek, -u, -ë == börek == a savory pie
3. hamam == hamam == Turkish bath
4. kolltuk, -u, kolltuqe == koltuk == armchair, seat
5. osman, -e == Osmanlı == ottoman
6. sulltan, -i, -ë == sultan == a sultan
7. sheqer, -i == şeker == sugar
8. shishe, -ja, -e == şişe == a bottle
9. shisqebap, -i, -e == şiş kebap == shish kebab

Loan words for German speakers

• mensë, -a, -a == die Mensa == a school cafeteria, a cantine

Loan words for Latin speakers

1. e mërkurë, -a, -a == Mercurii == Wednesday
2. monedhë, -a, -a == monetæ == coin, coinage, small change

Loan words for Spanish speakers

1. telenovelë, -a, -a == una telenovela == a soap opera

False friends

1. i,e habitur == surprised, astonished
2. konvikt, -i, -e == a dormitory
3. koran, -i, -ë == a trout
4. verdhë == yellow

Resources for learning Albanian

Books for learning Albanian

• Colloquial Albanian (2012) is an excellent book for anglophones by Linda Mëniku and Héctor Campos. It is concise and well organized. The learning curve gets steeper towards the end. Routledge, the publisher has kindly made audio for all text passages downloadable for free from the book's homepage. As of 2018 the vocabulary of this excellent book have not yet been made to a memrise. A previous edition in the same Colloquial series from the early 90's does have a memrise of the vocabulary.
• Discovering Albanian 1 (2011) is also by Linda Mëniku and Héctor Campos and it consists of a textbook and workbook. As of 2018 there is no Discovering Albanian 2. The audio for the textbook can be accessed only via 2 CD's. Who has CD-players these days? Let's hope The University of Wisconsin Press wakes up and provides streaming and download at no extra charge.

Albanian radio

• There are various streaming apps available in the app stores.
• Live Online Radio is a radio streaming service for the web. It has one of the largest selections of Albanian radios.
• Radio.garden has a beautiful user interface where you tune into radios by spinning a globe to the desired location of transmission.

Albanian TV

• https://albanian.tv/ offers streaming of many of the popular Albanian TV channels. It often works but occasionally the streams have trouble playing out without intermittent interruptions.
• The RTSH Tani app is available for Android and iOS Apple phones. With the app you can access all the channels broadcast by RTSH including RTSH Film. The app does not have ads (excellent) whereas the RTSH channels do have ads. RTSH Tani app also features a VOD archive where you can watch recent programs up-to-2-days into the broadcasting history and a handy integrated EPG.

Films with Albanian subtitles

• These you can find on Youtube by searching for 'filma me titra shqip'. Watching movies spoken in a language you understand while reading the subtitles in the language you want to learn is an excellent way to learn and refresh in a low-effort manner.
• There are also Albanian films. These are unfortunately not subtitled and the speech is often really rapid. French do subtitle some of their own films on TV5MONDE to aid the non-natives tackle the 5 words per second pace.

Wiki literature

• Wikibooks.org, Albanian version may be useful after you have gained the basics. Reading wikibooks of subjects and fields you already know may fast-forward your ability to read some text.
• Albanian Wikipedia Same advice, select subjects this way you have a clear idea of what it is likely to say. Wikipedia writing is less predictable than a textbook.

Online texts

• Foreign Services Institute (FSI) (1965) .pdf book on Albanian. From this I can recommend the history introduction of this text aimed mostly for US armed forces personel though naturally the FSI's work helps also non-military government workers to gain knowledge too. Albanian language has changed so much since 1965 that this cannot really be used to learn contemporary albanian but the intro is good if you are a history and culture puff.

Learning games

• Some flashcard software may be useful for learning specialized vocabulary. See the Wikipedia list of flashcard software for options.

• https://memrise.com is a spaced repetition flashcard and beyond language learning game and it has various memrises of varying quality. Memrise programs your brain slightly differently than traditional methods of vocabulary acquisition.

• Basic Albanian 1 (~170 things to learn) and
• Basic Albanian 2 (~210 things to learn) are of high quality, simple intros to the basic building blocks made by BaaS, an apparent memrise genius if you look at his productivity, scope and quality of his work.
• (No typing) Albanian Menu (~110 things to learn). " For people intending to travel to Albania this memrise obviously highly recommendable as we all gotta eat. No typing"-courses are fun because they are faster to play so you also get points faster.
• Discovering Albanian 1 (~1800 things to learn) a professional quality memrise based on the vocabulary lists of the book of the same name. This memrise contains audio in high quality, consistency and precision for practically all words and phrases to be learned. This memrise has over 1800 things to learn so it is the biggest available. The makers of this memrise have used sensible notation: For nouns indefinite and definite singular and indefinite plural are given etc. etc.
• Albanian Verbs (~480 things to learn). Teaches you the 1st person singular form of verbs (Albanian has no infinitives) with the exception of "to be" and "to have" where all present tense forms are taught in the last level.