Learning Albanian

Revision as of 10:26, 28 August 2018 by Jukeboksi (talk | contribs) (→‎Loan words for English speakers: + meritoj == to merit)

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. krizë, -a, -a == une crise == a crisis
  56. kronikë, -a, -a == une chronique == a chronicle, news
  57. kuadër, -ri, -ro == un cadre == frame, setting
  58. kulturë, -a, -a == une culture == a culture
  59. kurs, -i, -e == un course == rate, course
  60. kuzhinë, -a, -a == une cuisine == a kitchen
  61. laborator, -i, -ë == un laboratoire == a laboratory
  62. lahutë, -a, -a == un luth == a lute
  63. latin, -e == latin -e
  64. latino-amerkan -e == Latino-américain -e
  65. legjendë, -a, -a == une légende == a legend
  66. librari, -a, - == une librarie == a bookstore
  67. linjë, -a, -a == une ligne == a line
  68. lokal, -i,- e == un local == premises, room
  69. madhësti -a == une majesté == a majesty
  70. maj, -i == maj == May
  71. mandarinë, -a, -a == une mandarine == a mandarin
  72. mars, -i == mars == March
  73. mathematikë, -a, == un mathématique == mathematics
  74. më == me == me, to me (attn. më can be a number of other things to in sentences)
  75. meny, -ja, - == un menu == a menu
  76. menyrë, -a, -a == une manière == manner, way
  77. mesazh -i, -e == un message == a message
  78. miliard, -i, -ë == un milliard == a billion
  79. milion, -i, ë == un million == a million
  80. modë, -a == une mode == fashion
  81. mur, -i, -e == un mur == a wall
  82. muzë, -u - == un musée == a museum
  83. natyrë, -a == une nature == a nature
  84. oriz, -i == riz == rice
  85. paketë, -a, -a == un paquet == a package
  86. park, -u, -qe == un parc == a park
  87. pasion, -i, -e == une passion == a passion
  88. peizazh, -i, -e == un paysage == a scenery
  89. periudhë, -a, -a == une période == a period, time
  90. person, -i, -a == une personne == a person
  91. personalitet, -i, -e == une personnalité == a personality
  92. përqindje, -a, -e == un pourcentage == a percentage
  93. pishinë, -a, -a == une piscine == a swimming pool
  94. pistë, -a, -a == une piste == lane, floor
  95. pjesë, -a, -e == une pièce == a piece
  96. plazh, -i, -e == une plage == a beach
  97. portë, -a, -a == une porte == a gate
  98. pozicion, -i, -e == une position == a position
  99. prezantim == présentation == presentation
  100. principatë, -a, -a == une principauté == a principality, princedom
  101. prozë, -a, -a == une prose == a prose
  102. pulë, -a, -a == un poulet == a chicken
  103. qershi, -a, - == une cerise == a cherry
  104. qiell, -lli, -j == le ciel == the sky.
  105. recepsioniste, -ja, -e == une réceptionniste == a receptionist (fem.)
  106. rezultat, -i, -e == un résultat == a result
  107. rigon, -i == origan == oregano
  108. rol, -i, -e == un rôle == a role
  109. roman, -i, -e == un roman == a novel
  110. sallë, -a, -a == une salle == lobby, auditorium, room
  111. sandale, -ja, -e == une sandale == a sandal
  112. seri, -a, - == une série == a series
  113. shans, -i, -e == une chance == a chance
  114. shef, -i, -a == le chef == a chef, a chief, a boss
  115. shifër, -ra, -ra == un chiffre == a figure, cipher
  116. shofer, -i, -ë == un chauffeur == a driver
  117. shurup, -i, -e == un sirop == a syrup
  118. sistem, -i, -ë == un système == a system
  119. strateg, -u, -ë == un stratège == a strategist
  120. strategjik, -e == stratégique == strategic
  121. studio, -ja, - == un studio == a studio
  122. supë, -a, -a == une soupe == a soup
  123. suvenir, -i, -e == un souvenir == a souvenir
  124. tabelë, -a, -a == une table == (black)board
  125. tarracë, -a, -a == une terrasse == a terrace
  126. teatër, -ri, -ro - un théâtre - a theatre
  127. teatralë, -e == théâtral == theatrical
  128. teknik, -e == technique == technical
  129. teknologji, -a, - == une technologie == a technology
  130. temperaturë, -a, -a == une température == a temperature
  131. transfertë, -a, -a == un transfert == a transfer, transaction
  132. i,e trishtuar - triste - sad
  133. temë, -a, -a == un thème == a theme, topic
  134. tension, -i == une tension (artérielle) == blood pressure
  135. traditë, -a, -a == une tradition == a tradition
  136. trupë, -a, -a == une troupe == a troupe, company, band
  137. universitet, -i, -e == une université == an university
  138. valixhe, -ja, -e == une valise == a suitcase, baggage
  139. vegjetal, -e == végétal == vegetable (adj.)
  140. verandë, -a, -a == une véranda == a terrace, veranda
  141. vitrinë, -a, -a == une vitrine == a shop window
  142. vizë, -a, -a == un visa == a visa
  143. vizitë, -a, -a == une visite == a visit
  144. vizitor, -i, -ë == un visiteur == a visitor
  145. 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. arrogant, -e == arrogant
  22. artikull, -lli, -j == an article
  23. artist, -i, -ë == an artist
  24. artistik, -e == artistic
  25. atmosferë, -a, -a == an atmosphere
  26. audiencë, -a, -a == an audience
  27. autoritet, -i, -ë == an authority
  28. balet, -i, -e == a ballet
  29. banane, -ia, -e == a banana
  30. bankë, -a, -a == a bank
  31. banknotë, -a, -a == a banknote
  32. basketboll, -i == basketball
  33. basketbollist, -i, -ë == a baskeball player
  34. bazë, -ë, -a == a base
  35. blu == blue
  36. botanik, -e == botanical
  37. brokoli == broccoli
  38. celular, -e == cellular
  39. ceremoni, -a, - == a ceremony
  40. çek, -ku, -qe == a check (payment instrument)
  41. datë, -a, -a == a date (time)
  42. datoj == to date (time)
  43. debat, -i, -e == a debate
  44. dentar, -e == dental
  45. dentist, -i, -ë == a dentist
  46. derë, -a, dyer == a door
  47. deshirë, -a, -a == a desire
  48. deshiroj == to desire
  49. dialekt, -i, -e == a dialect
  50. dietë, -a, -a == a diet
  51. diplomat, -i, -ë == a diplomat
  52. diskutoj == to discuss
  53. dixhital == digital
  54. dizanoj == to design
  55. dokument, -i, -e == a document
  56. dokumentar, -i, -ë == a documentary
  57. domate, -ja, -e == a tomato
  58. edukatë, -a == an education
  59. egoist, -i, -ë == an egoist
  60. ekonomi, -a == economics
  61. ekonomik, -e == economical
  62. ekonomist, -i, -ë == an economist
  63. ekskursion, -i, -e == an excursion
  64. ekzekutues, -e == executive
  65. elegant, -e == elegant
  66. elektricitet, -i == electricity
  67. elektronik, -e == electronic
  68. estetik, -e == aesthetic
  69. i famshëm, e famshme == famous
  70. fazë, -a, -a == a phase
  71. firmë, -a, -a == a firm (business)
  72. fakt, -i, -e == a fact
  73. fanellë, -a, -a == a flannel shirt, undershirt
  74. i favorishëm, e -me == favourable
  75. festival, -i, -e == a festival
  76. filëte, -a, -a == a fillet
  77. film, -i, -a == a film
  78. financier, -i, -ë == a finacier
  79. formë, -a, -a == a form, shape (paper or digital form is formular)
  80. formoj == to form
  81. fotogjenik, -e == photogenic
  82. fotografi, -a, - == a photograph
  83. frutë, -a, -a == a fruit
  84. furnizim, -i, -e == furnishing, supplies
  85. futboll, -i == football (soccer)
  86. galeri, -a, - == a gallery
  87. gest, -i, -e == a gesture
  88. gjerman, -i, -ë == German (nationality)
  89. gjerman, -e == German (adj.)
  90. gradë, -a, -a == a grade, quality
  91. gjimnastikor, -i == gymnastic (adj.)
  92. grup, -i, -e == a group
  93. hamburger, -i, -ë == a hamburger
  94. harmonik, -e == harmonic
  95. hero, -i, -nj == a hero
  96. historik, -e == historical
  97. holl, -i, -e == a hall
  98. hotel, -i, -e == a hotel
  99. identifikim, -i, -e == an identification
  100. ikonografik, -e == iconographic
  101. imejl == email (also postë elektronike, email or e-mail)
  102. individual, -e == individual (adj.)
  103. infeksion, -i, -e == an infection
  104. informativ, -e == informative
  105. instrument, -i, -e == an instrument
  106. intensivisht == intensively
  107. intergritet == integrity
  108. interes, -i, -a == an interest
  109. internet, -i == the Internet
  110. interpretim, -i, -e == an interpretation
  111. interpretoj == to interpret
  112. Itali, -a == Italy
  113. italian, -e == Italian (adj.)
  114. italian, -i, -ë == Italian (nationality
  115. itinerar, -i, -e == an itinerary
  116. janar, -i == January
  117. ju == you
  118. kamp, -i, -e == a a camp
  119. katalog, -u, -ë == a catalogue
  120. katastrofë, -a, -a == a catastrophe
  121. kategori, -a, - == a category
  122. kështjellë, -a, -a == a castle, fortress
  123. kilogram, -i, -ë == a kilogram
  124. kilometër, -ri, -ra == a kilometer
  125. kivi == a kiwi (fruit)
  126. klinikë, -a, -a == a clinic
  127. klub, -i, -e == a club
  128. kopjoj == to copy
  129. kolesterol, -i == a cholesterol
  130. kombinim, -i, -e == a combination
  131. kompani, -a, - == a company
  132. kompjuter, -i, -a == a computer
  133. kompresë, -a, -a == a compress
  134. komunitet, -i, -e == a community
  135. konferencë, -a, -a == a conference
  136. konfirmoj == to confirm
  137. konfuzion, -i, -e == a confusion
  138. konfirmim, -i, -e == a confirmation
  139. kongres, -i, -e == a congress
  140. konsideroj == to consider
  141. konsull, -lli, -j == a consul
  142. konsumoj == to consume
  143. kontaktoj == to contact
  144. kontrolloj == to control, inspect, examine
  145. kontroll, -i, -e == a control, check
  146. kopje, -a, -e == a copy
  147. korrigjoj == to correct
  148. krap, -i, krep == a carp
  149. kupë, -a, -a == a cup
  150. letër, -ra, -ra == a letter, a card
  151. lider == a leader
  152. litër, -ri, -ra == a liter
  153. material, -i, -e == material
  154. menaxher, -i, -ë == a manager
  155. madhësti, -a == majesty, grandiosity
  156. meritoj == to merit
  157. mineral == mineral
  158. ministër, -ri, -ra = a minister
  159. Ministri, -a, - == a ministry
  160. mister, -i, -e == a mystery
  161. modern, -e == modern
  162. moment, -i, -e == a moment
  163. monument, -i, -e == a monument
  164. mozaik, -i, -ë == a mosaic
  165. muzikë, -a == music
  166. oksigjen, -i, -e == oxygen
  167. pako, -ja, - == a pack, packet, parcel
  168. park, -ku, -qe == a park
  169. periudhë, -a, -a == a period
  170. ping-pong == ping-pong, table tennis
  171. piper, -i == pepper (table spice)
  172. pjek == to bake
  173. plan, -i, -e == a plan
  174. poet, -i, -ë == a poet
  175. polifoni, -a, - == a polyphony
  176. popullor, -e == popular
  177. porcelan, -i == porcelain
  178. postë, -a, -a == mail, post office post
  179. prill, -i == April
  180. qendër, -a, -a == a center
  181. radio, -ja, - == a radio
  182. recital, -i, -e == a recital
  183. restorant, -i, -e == a restaurant
  184. reumatizëm, -mi, -ma == rheumatism
  185. i,e saktë == exact
  186. sandale == sandals
  187. sanduiç, -i, -ë == a sandwich
  188. sekret, -i, -e == a secret
  189. sekretar, -i, -ë == a secretary
  190. sekt, -i, -e == a sect
  191. semestër, -ri, -ra == a semester
  192. seminar, -i, -e == a seminar
  193. sezon, -i, -e == a season
  194. shkollë, -a, -a == a school
  195. shtet, -i, -e == a state, country
  196. simbolik, -e == symbolic, very cheap
  197. simptomë, -a, -a == a symptom
  198. sinjal, -i, -e == a signal
  199. i,e sinqertë == sincere
  200. situatë, -a, -a == a situation, condition
  201. social, -e == social
  202. solemn, -e == solemn, gala
  203. specifikë, -a, -a == a specific feature
  204. spektakël, -li, -le == a spectacle
  205. spektator, -i, -ë == a spectator
  206. spinaq, -i == spinach
  207. spital, -i, -e == a hospital
  208. sporadik, -e == sporadic
  209. statut, -i, -e == a statute
  210. sukses, -i, -e == success
  211. stomak, -u, -ë == a stomach
  212. stres, -i == stress
  213. studioj == to study
  214. taksi, -a, - == a taxi
  215. tekst, -i, -e == a text
  216. telefon, -i, -a == a telephone
  217. telefon celular == a cell phone
  218. tempull, -lli, -j == a temple
  219. transferim, -i, -e == a transfer
  220. turist, -i, -ë == a tourist
  221. turistik, -e == touristic
  222. vaksinë, -a, -a == a vaccine
  223. vanilje, -a == vanilla
  224. variant, -i, -e == a variant, variation
  225. vëllim, -i, -e == volume
  226. vitaminë, -a, -a == a vitamin
  227. vizitoj == to visit
  228. volejboll, -i == volleyball
  229. xhaketë, -a, -a == a jacket
  230. xhinse == jeans, denim
  231. zero == zero
  232. 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.