Learning Albanian

Revision as of 09:56, 18 August 2018 by Jukeboksi (talk | contribs) (→‎Mots d'emprunt pour francophones: + krem karamel == la crème caramel == caramel dessert)

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. 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. fill, -i, fije == un fil == a thread
  18. financiar, -e == financier == financial
  19. fizikë, -a == une physique == physics
  20. Francẽ, -a, -a == La France == France
  21. francez, -i, -ë == un français == a French
  22. francez, -e == français, -e == French (adj.)
  23. galeri, -a, - == une galerie == a gallery
  24. gaz, -i, -e == un gaz == a gas
  25. gjeografik, -e == géographique == geographic
  26. grevë == une grève == a strike
  27. gri == gris == grey
  28. grip, -i, -e == une grippe == a flu
  29. ide, -ja, - == une idée == an idea
  30. inkonjito == incognito == incognito
  31. institucion, -i, -e == une institution == an institution
  32. interesant, -e == interesant == interesting
  33. inxhinier, -i, -ë == un ingénieur == an engineer
  34. juridik, -e == juridique == legal, judicial
  35. kabinë, -a, -a == une cabine == a booth
  36. kafe, -ja, -e == un café == a coffee
  37. kanal, -i, -e == un canal == a channel
  38. kanion, -i, -e == un canyon == a canyon
  39. karakter, -i, -e == un caractère == a character, nature
  40. karakteristik, -e == caractéristique == characteristic
  41. karotë, -a, -a == une carotte == a carrot
  42. kartë, -a, -a == une carte == a card (also a paper)
  43. kartë krediti == une carte de crédit == a credit card
  44. katër == quatre == four
  45. katolik, -e == catholique == catholic
  46. këmishë, -a, -ë == une chemise == a shirt
  47. kimi, -a == chimie == chemistry
  48. klient, -i, -ë == un client == a client
  49. koleg, -u, -ë == un collègue == a colleague
  50. komedi, -a, - == une comédie == a comedy
  51. komplikacion, -i, -e == une complication == a complication
  52. kontratë, -a, -a == un contrat == a contract, agreement
  53. kostum, -i, -e == un costume == a costume, a suit
  54. krem karamel == la crème caramel == caramel dessert
  55. kuadër, -ri, -ro == un cadre == frame, setting
  56. kurs, -i, -e == un course == rate, course
  57. kuzhinë, -a, -a == une cuisine == a kitchen
  58. lahutë, -a, -a == un luth == a lute
  59. legjendë, -a, -a == une légende == a legend
  60. librari, -a, - == une librarie == a bookstore
  61. linjë, -a, -a == une ligne == a line
  62. madhësti -a == une majesté == a majesty
  63. maj, -i == maj == May
  64. mandarinë, -a, -a == une mandarine == a mandarin
  65. mars, -i == mars == March
  66. më == me == me, to me (attn. më can be a number of other things to in sentences)
  67. meny, -ja, - == un menu == a menu
  68. menyrë, -a, -a == une manière == manner, way
  69. mesazh -i, -e == un message == a message
  70. miliard, -i, -ë == un milliard == a billion
  71. milion, -i, ë == un million == a million
  72. modë, -a == une mode == fashion
  73. mur, -i, -e == un mur == a wall
  74. muzë, -u - == un musée == a museum
  75. natyrë, -a == une nature == a nature
  76. oriz, -i == riz == rice
  77. paketë, -a, -a == un paquet == a package
  78. park, -u, -qe == un parc == a park
  79. pasion, -i, -e == une passion == a passion
  80. peizazh, -i, -e == un paysage == a scenery
  81. periudhë, -a, -a == une période == a period, time
  82. person, -i, -a == une personne == a person
  83. personalitet, -i, -e == une personnalité == a personality
  84. përqindje, -a, -e == un pourcentage == a percentage
  85. pishinë, -a, -a == une piscine == a swimming pool
  86. pistë, -a, -a == une piste == lane, floor
  87. pjesë, -a, -e == une pièce == a piece
  88. plazh, -i, -e == une plage == a beach
  89. portë, -a, -a == une porte == a gate
  90. pozicion, -i, -e == une position == a position
  91. prezantim == présentation == presentation
  92. principatë, -a, -a == une principauté == a principality, princedom
  93. prozë, -a, -a == une prose == a prose
  94. pulë, -a, -a == un poulet == a chicken
  95. qershi, -a, - == une cerise == a cherry
  96. qiell, -lli, -j == le ciel == the sky.
  97. recepsioniste, -ja, -e == une réceptionniste == a receptionist (fem.)
  98. rezultat, -i, -e == un résultat == a result
  99. rigon, -i == origan == oregano
  100. rol, -i, -e == un rôle == a role
  101. roman, -i, -e == un roman == a novel
  102. sallë, -a, -a == une salle == lobby, auditorium, room
  103. sandale, -ja, -e == une sandale == a sandal
  104. seri, -a, - == une série == a series
  105. shans, -i, -e == une chance == a chance
  106. shef, -i, -a == le chef == a chef, a chief, a boss
  107. shifër, -ra, -ra == un chiffre == a figure, cipher
  108. shofer, -i, -ë == un chauffeur == a driver
  109. shurup, -i, -e == un sirop == a syrup
  110. sistem, -i, -ë == un système == a system
  111. strateg, -u, -ë == un stratège == a strategist
  112. strategjik, -e == stratégique == strategic
  113. studio, -ja, - == un studio == a studio
  114. supë, -a, -a == une soupe == a soup
  115. suvenir, -i, -e == un souvenir == a souvenir
  116. tabelë, -a, -a == une table == (black)board
  117. tarracë, -a, -a == une terrasse == a terrace
  118. teatër, -ri, -ro - un théâtre - a theatre
  119. teatralë, -e == théâtral == theatrical
  120. teknik, -e == technique == technical
  121. teknologji, -a, - == une technologie == a technology
  122. temperaturë, -a, -a == une température == a temperature
  123. transfertë, -a, -a == un transfert == a transfer, transaction
  124. i,e trishtuar - triste - sad
  125. temë, -a, -a == un thème == a theme, topic
  126. tension, -i == une tension (artérielle) == blood pressure
  127. traditë, -a, -a == une tradition == a tradition
  128. trupë, -a, -a == une troupe == a troupe, company, band
  129. universitet, -i, -e == une université == an university
  130. valixhe, -ja, -e == une valise == a suitcase, baggage
  131. vegjetal, -e == végétal == vegetable (adj.)
  132. verandë, -a, -a == une véranda == a terrace, veranda
  133. vitrinë, -a, -a == une vitrine == a shop window
  134. vizë, -a, -a == un visa == a visa
  135. vizitë, -a, -a == une visite == a visit
  136. vizitor, -i, -ë == un visiteur == a visitor
  137. 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. i,e freskët == fresco == fresh
  15. freskues, -e == rinfrescante == refreshing
  16. garazh, -i, -e == un garage == a garage
  17. gjigand, -i, -ë == un gigante == a giant
  18. gjykatës, -i, - == un giudice == a judge
  19. gusht, -i == agosto == August
  20. higjenë, -a == igiene == hygiene
  21. kakao, -ja, - == un cacao == a cocoa
  22. kallamar, -i, -ë == un calamaro == a calamari
  23. kamarier, -i, -ë == un camriere == a waiter
  24. kamion, -i, -e == un camion == a truck
  25. kapelë, -a, -a == un cappello == a cap (hat)
  26. kapitull, -lli, -j == un capitolo == a chapter
  27. kështjellë, -a, -a == un castello == a castle
  28. klime, -a, -a == un clima == a climate
  29. krap,- i, krep == una carpa == a carp
  30. klimë, -a, -a == un clima == a climate
  31. konkurrencë, -a == concorrenza == a competition
  32. konkurrent, -i, -ë == un concorrente == a competitor
  33. konsum, -i, -e == un consumo == consumption
  34. kontribut, -i, -e == un contributo == a contribution
  35. libër, -ri, -ra == un libro == a book
  36. limon, -i, -ë == un limone == a lemon
  37. makinë, -a, -a == una macchina == a car
  38. mit, -i, -e == un mito == a myth
  39. mobilje, -a, -e == un mobile == furniture
  40. nip, -i, -a == un nipote == a cousin
  41. orë, -a, -ë == un'ora == an hour (or a clock)
  42. origjinë, -a, -a == un'orignine == an origin
  43. pacient, -i, -ë == un paziente == a patient (male)
  44. paqe, -ja == pace == peace
  45. papagall, -lli, -j == un pappagallo == a parrot
  46. pantallona, -t == un pantalone == pants
  47. patate, -ja, -e == una patata == a potato
  48. patatinë, -a, -a == patatine == potato chips
  49. peshk, -u, peshq == un pesce == a fish
  50. peshkatar, -i, -ë == un pescatore == a fisherman
  51. për == per == for, about
  52. peshë, -a, -a == peso == weight
  53. picë, -a, -a == una pizza == a pizza
  54. pikant, -i, -ë == piccante == spicy
  55. piktor, -i, -ë == un pittore == a painter
  56. pjatë, -a, -a == un piatto == a plate, a dish, a course (food)
  57. proshutë, -a, -a == un prosciutto == a ham (also means bacon)
  58. salcë, -ë, -a == una salsa == a sauce
  59. salsiçise, -ja, -e == una salsiccia == a sausage
  60. sallatë, -a, -a == un'insalata == a salad
  61. siguri, -a, - == una sicurezza == a security
  62. skuadër, -ra, -ra == una squadra == a team
  63. stilograf, -i, -ë == una penna stilografica == a fountain pen
  64. tendencë, -a, -a == una tendenza == a tendency, trend
  65. titull, -lli, -j == un titolo == a title
  66. tortë, -a, -a == una torta == a cake
  67. tradicional, -e == tradizionale == traditional
  68. tren, -i, -a == un treno == a train
  69. vazo, -ja, - == un vaso == a vaze
  70. 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. estetik, -e == aesthetic
  68. i famshëm, e famshme == famous
  69. fazë, -a, -a == a phase
  70. firmë, -a, -a == a firm (business)
  71. fakt, -i, -e == a fact
  72. fanellë, -a, -a == a flannel shirt, undershirt
  73. i favorishëm, e -me == favourable
  74. festival, -i, -e == a festival
  75. filëte, -a, -a == a fillet
  76. film, -i, -a == a film
  77. financier, -i, -ë == a finacier
  78. formë, -a, -a == a form, shape (paper or digital form is formular)
  79. formoj == to form
  80. fotografi, -a, - == a photograph
  81. frutë, -a, -a == a fruit
  82. furnizim, -i, -e == furnishing, supplies
  83. futboll, -i == football (soccer)
  84. galeri, -a, - == a gallery
  85. gjerman, -i, -ë == German (nationality)
  86. gjerman, -e == German (adj.)
  87. gradë, -a, -a == a grade, quality
  88. gjimnastikor, -i == gymnastic (adj.)
  89. grup, -i, -e == a group
  90. hamburger, -i, -ë == a hamburger
  91. harmonik, -e == harmonic
  92. hero, -i, -nj == a hero
  93. historik, -e == historical
  94. holl, -i, -e == a hall
  95. hotel, -i, -e == a hotel
  96. identifikim, -i, -e == an identification
  97. ikonografik, -e == iconographic
  98. imejl == email (also postë elektronike, email or e-mail)
  99. individual, -e == individual (adj.)
  100. infeksion, -i, -e == an infection
  101. informativ, -e == informative
  102. instrument, -i, -e == an instrument
  103. intensivisht == intensively
  104. intergritet == integrity
  105. interes, -i, -a == an interest
  106. internet, -i == the Internet
  107. interpretim, -i, -e == an interpretation
  108. interpretoj == to interpret
  109. Itali, -a == Italy
  110. italian, -e == Italian (adj.)
  111. italian, -i, -ë == Italian (nationality
  112. itinerar, -i, -e == an itinerary
  113. janar, -i == January
  114. ju == you
  115. kamp, -i, -e == a a camp
  116. katalog, -u, -ë == a catalogue
  117. katastrofë, -a, -a == a catastrophe
  118. kategori, -a, - == a category
  119. kështjellë, -a, -a == a castle, fortress
  120. kilogram, -i, -ë == a kilogram
  121. kilometër, -ri, -ra == a kilometer
  122. kivi == a kiwi (fruit)
  123. klinikë, -a, -a == a clinic
  124. klub, -i, -e == a club
  125. kopjoj == to copy
  126. kolesterol, -i == a cholesterol
  127. kombinim, -i, -e == a combination
  128. kompani, -a, - == a company
  129. kompjuter, -i, -a == a computer
  130. kompresë, -a, -a == a compress
  131. komunitet, -i, -e == a community
  132. konferencë, -a, -a == a conference
  133. konfirmoj == to confirm
  134. konfuzion, -i, -e == a confusion
  135. konfirmim, -i, -e == a confirmation
  136. kongres, -i, -e == a congress
  137. konsideroj == to consider
  138. konsull, -lli, -j == a consul
  139. konsumoj == to consume
  140. kontaktoj == to contact
  141. kontrolloj == to control, inspect, examine
  142. kontroll, -i, -e == a control, check
  143. kopje, -a, -e == a copy
  144. korrigjoj == to correct
  145. krap, -i, krep == a carp
  146. kupë, -a, -a == a cup
  147. letër, -ra, -ra == a letter, a card
  148. lider == a leader
  149. menaxher, -i, -ë == a manager
  150. mineral == mineral
  151. muzikë, -a == music
  152. oksigjen, -i, -e == oxygen
  153. pako, -ja, - == a pack, packet, parcel
  154. park, -ku, -qe == a park
  155. periudhë, -a, -a == a period
  156. ping-pong == ping-pong, table tennis
  157. piper, -i == pepper (table spice)
  158. pjek == to bake
  159. plan, -i, -e == a plan
  160. poet, -i, -ë == a poet
  161. polifoni, -a, - == a polyphony
  162. popullor, -e == popular
  163. porcelan, -i == porcelain
  164. postë, -a, -a == mail, post office post
  165. prill, -i == April
  166. qendër, -a, -a == a center
  167. radio, -ja, - == a radio
  168. recital, -i, -e == a recital
  169. restorant, -i, -e == a restaurant
  170. reumatizëm, -mi, -ma == rheumatism
  171. i,e saktë == exact
  172. sandale == sandals
  173. sanduiç, -i, -ë == a sandwich
  174. sekret, -i, -e == a secret
  175. sekretar, -i, -ë == a secretary
  176. sekt, -i, -e == a sect
  177. semestër, -ri, -ra == a semester
  178. seminar, -i, -e == a seminar
  179. sezon, -i, -e == a season
  180. shkollë, -a, -a == a school
  181. shtet, -i, -e == a state, country
  182. simbolik, -e == symbolic, very cheap
  183. simptomë, -a, -a == a symptom
  184. sinjal, -i, -e == a signal
  185. i,e sinqertë == sincere
  186. situatë, -a, -a == a situation, condition
  187. social, -e == social
  188. solemn, -e == solemn, gala
  189. specifikë, -a, -a == a specific feature
  190. spektakël, -li, -le == a spectacle
  191. spektator, -i, -ë == a spectator
  192. spinaq, -i == spinach
  193. spital, -i, -e == a hospital
  194. sporadik, -e == sporadic
  195. statut, -i, -e == a statute
  196. sukses, -i, -e == success
  197. stomak, -u, -ë == a stomach
  198. stres, -i == stress
  199. studioj == to study
  200. taksi, -a, - == a taxi
  201. tekst, -i, -e == a text
  202. telefon, -i, -a == a telephone
  203. telefon celular == a cell phone
  204. tempull, -lli, -j == a temple
  205. transferim, -i, -e == a transfer
  206. turist, -i, -ë == a tourist
  207. turistik, -e == touristic
  208. vaksinë, -a, -a == a vaccine
  209. vanilje, -a == vanilla
  210. variant, -i, -e == a variant, variation
  211. vëllim, -i, -e == volume
  212. vitaminë, -a, -a == a vitamin
  213. vizitoj == to visit
  214. volejboll, -i == volleyball
  215. xhaketë, -a, -a == a jacket
  216. xhinse == jeans, denim
  217. zero == zero
  218. 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

  • 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.