Learning Albanian

Revision as of 20:19, 15 August 2018 by Jukeboksi (talk | contribs) (→‎Loan words for English speakers: + banknotë, -a, -a == a banknote)

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.


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'

 


Class 2 verbs - end in a consonant

 


Class 3 verbs - end in a vowel

 


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

 


Class 5 verbs - irregular verbs


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

 


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

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. dakord == d'accord == agreed, all right
  13. divorc == un divorce == a divorce
  14. ekspozitë, -a, -a == une exposition == an exhibition
  15. galeri, -a, - == une galerie == a gallery
  16. gaz, -i, -e == un gaz == a gas
  17. grevë == une grève == a strike
  18. gri == gris == grey
  19. grip, -i, -e == une grippe == a flu
  20. ide, -ja, - == une idëe == an idea
  21. inkonjito == incognito == incognito
  22. interesant, -e == interesant == interesting
  23. inxhinier, -i, -ë == un ingénieur == an engineer
  24. kabinë, -a, -a == une cabine == a booth
  25. katër == quatre == four
  26. këmishë, -a, -ë == une chemise == a shirt
  27. kimi, -a == chimie == chemistry
  28. kuadër, -ri, -ro == un cadre == frame, setting
  29. kurs, -i, -e == un course == rate, course
  30. kuzhinë, -a, -a == une cuisine == a kitchen
  31. lahutë, -a, -a == un luth == a lute
  32. legjendë, -a, -a == une légende == a legend
  33. librari, -a, - == une librarie == a bookstore
  34. linjë, -a, -a == une ligne == a line
  35. madhësti -a == une majesté == a majesty
  36. maj, -i == maj == May
  37. mandarinë, -a, -a == une mandarine == a mandarin
  38. mars, -i == mars == March
  39. më == me == me, to me (attn. më can be a number of other things to in sentences)
  40. meny, -ja, - == un menu == a menu
  41. menyrë, -a, -a == une manière == manner, way
  42. mesazh -i, -e == un message == a message
  43. miliard, -i, -ë == un milliard == a billion
  44. milion, -i, ë == un million == a million
  45. modë, -a == une mode == fashion
  46. mur, -i, -e == un mur == a wall
  47. muzë, -u - == un musée == a museum
  48. natyrë, -a == une nature == a nature
  49. oriz, -i == riz == rice
  50. paketë, -a, -a == un paquet == a package
  51. park, -u, -qe == un parc == a park
  52. pasion, -i, -e == une passion == a passion
  53. peizazh, -i, -e == un paysage == a scenery
  54. periudhë, -a, -a == une période == a period, time
  55. person, -i, -a == une personne == a person
  56. personalitet, -i, -e == une personnalité == a personality
  57. përqindje, -a, -e == un pourcentage == a percentage
  58. pishinë, -a, -a == une piscine == a swimming pool
  59. pistë, -a, -a == une piste == lane, floor
  60. pjesë, -a, -e == une pièce == a piece
  61. plazh, -i, -e == une plage == a beach
  62. portë, -a, -a == une porte == a gate
  63. pozicion, -i, -e == une position == a position
  64. prezantim == présentation == presentation
  65. principatë, -a, -a == une principauté == a principality, princedom
  66. prozë, -a, -a == une prose == a prose
  67. pulë, -a, -a == un poulet == a chicken
  68. qershi, -a, - == une cerise == a cherry
  69. qiell, -lli, -j == le ciel == the sky.
  70. recepsioniste, -ja, -e == une réceptionniste == a receptionist (fem.)
  71. rezultat, -i, -e == un résultat == a result
  72. rigon, -i == origan == oregano
  73. rol, -i, -e == un rôle == a role
  74. roman, -i, -e == un roman == a novel
  75. sallë, -a, -a == une salle == lobby, auditorium, room
  76. sandale, -ja, -e == une sandale == a sandal
  77. seri, -a, - == une série == a series
  78. shans, -i, -e == une chance == a chance
  79. shef, -i, -a == le chef == a chef, a chief, a boss
  80. shifër, -ra, -ra == un chiffre == a figure, cipher
  81. shofer, -i, -ë == un chauffeur == a driver
  82. shurup, -i, -e == un sirop == a syrup
  83. sistem, -i, -ë == un système == a system
  84. strateg, -u, -ë == un stratège == a strategist
  85. strategjik, -e == stratégique == strategic
  86. studio, -ja, - == un studio == a studio
  87. supë, -a, -a == une soupe == a soup
  88. suvenir, -i, -e == un souvenir == a souvenir
  89. tabelë, -a, -a == une table == (black)board
  90. tarracë, -a, -a == une terrasse == a terrace
  91. teatër, -ri, -ro - un théâtre - a theatre
  92. teatralë, -e == théâtral == theatrical
  93. teknik, -e == technique == technical
  94. teknologji, -a, - == une technologie == a technology
  95. temperaturë, -a, -a == une température == a temperature
  96. transfertë, -a, -a == un transfert == a transfer, transaction
  97. i,e trishtuar - triste - sad
  98. temë, -a, -a == un thème == a theme, topic
  99. tension, -i == une tension (artérielle) == blood pressure
  100. traditë, -a, -a == une tradition == a tradition
  101. trupë, -a, -a == une troupe == a troupe, company, band
  102. universitet, -i, -e == une université == an university
  103. valixhe, -ja, -e == une valise == a suitcase, baggage
  104. vegjetal, -e == végétal == vegetable (adj.)
  105. verandë, -a, -a == une véranda == a terrace, veranda
  106. vitrinë, -a, -a == une vitrine == a shop window
  107. vizë, -a, -a == un visa == a visa
  108. vizitë, -a, -a == une visite == a visit
  109. vizitor, -i, -ë == un visiteur == a visitor
  110. 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. bazë, -ë, -a == a base
  32. blu == blue
  33. çek, -ku, -qe == a check (payment instrument)
  34. dentist, -i, -ë == a dentist
  35. dixhital == digital
  36. dizanoj == to design
  37. fazë, -a, -a == a phase
  38. festival, -i, -e - a == festival
  39. financier, -i, -ë == a finacier
  40. formë, -a, -a == a form, shape (paper or digital form is formular)
  41. formoj == to form
  42. galeri, -a, - == a gallery
  43. gradë, -a, -a == a grade, quality
  44. hero, -i, -nj == a hero
  45. imejl == email (also postë elektronike, email or e-mail)
  46. intergritet == integrity
  47. itinerar, -i, -e == an itinerary
  48. informativ == informative
  49. janar, -i == January
  50. ju == you
  51. katastrofë, -a, -a == a catastrophe
  52. klub, -i, -e == a club
  53. kopjoj == to copy
  54. kupë, -a, -a == a cup
  55. letër, -ra, -ra == a letter, a card
  56. lider == a leader
  57. menaxher, -i, -ë == a manager
  58. mineral == mineral
  59. muzikë, -a == music
  60. oksigjen, -i, -e == oxygen
  61. pako, -ja, - == a pack, packet, parcel
  62. park, -ku, -qe == a park
  63. periudhë, -a, -a == a period
  64. ping-pong == ping-pong, table tennis
  65. piper, -i == pepper (table spice)
  66. pjek == to bake
  67. plan, -i, -e == a plan
  68. poet, -i, -ë == a poet
  69. polifoni, -a, - == a polyphony
  70. popullor, -e == popular
  71. porcelan, -i == porcelain
  72. postë, -a, -a == mail, post office post
  73. prill, -i == April
  74. qendër, -a, -a == a center
  75. radio, -ja, - == a radio
  76. recital, -i, -e == a recital
  77. restorant, -i, -e == a restaurant
  78. reumatizëm, -mi, -ma == rheumatism
  79. i,e saktë == exact
  80. sandale == sandals
  81. sanduiç, -i, -ë == a sandwich
  82. sekret, -i, -e == a secret
  83. sekretar, -i, -ë == a secretary
  84. sekt, -i, -e == a sect
  85. semestër, -ri, -ra == a semester
  86. seminar, -i, -e == a seminar
  87. sezon, -i, -e == a season
  88. shkollë, -a, -a == a school
  89. shtet, -i, -e == a state, country
  90. simbolik, -e == symbolic, very cheap
  91. simptomë, -a, -a == a symptom
  92. sinjal, -i, -e == a signal
  93. i,e sinqertë == sincere
  94. situatë, -a, -a == a situation, condition
  95. social, -e == social
  96. solemn, -e == solemn, gala
  97. specifikë, -a, -a == a specific feature
  98. spektakël, -li, -le == a spectacle
  99. spektator, -i, -ë == a spectator
  100. spinaq, -i == spinach
  101. spital, -i, -e == a hospital
  102. sporadik, -e == sporadic
  103. statut, -i, -e == a statute
  104. sukses, -i, -e == success
  105. stomak, -u, -ë == a stomach
  106. stres, -i == stress
  107. studioj == to study
  108. taksi, -a, - == a taxi
  109. tekst, -i, -e == a text
  110. telefon, -i, -a == a telephone
  111. tempull, -lli, -j == a temple
  112. transferim, -i, -e == a transfer
  113. turist, -i, -ë == a tourist
  114. turistik, -e == touristic
  115. vaksinë, -a, -a == a vaccine
  116. vanilje, -a == vanilla
  117. variant, -i, -e == a variant, variation
  118. vëllim, -i, -e == volume
  119. vitaminë, -a, -a == a vitamin
  120. vizitoj == to visit
  121. volejboll, -i == volleyball
  122. xhaketë, -a, -a == a jacket
  123. xhinse == jeans, denim
  124. zero == zero
  125. 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. çaj, -i == чай == tea
  3. gazetë, -a,- a == газета == a newspaper
  4. jug == юг == south
  5. kukull, -a, -a == кукла == a doll
  6. pallto, -ja, - == пальто == a coat
  7. shah, -u == шах == chess
  8. televizor, -i, -ë == телевизор == television set
  9. 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

  • 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.