Learning Albanian

Revision as of 12:26, 15 September 2018 by Jukeboksi (talk | contribs) (→‎Loan words for English speakers: + kler, -i, -e == a clergy)

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

The verbs

  • "jam" == "to be" and
  • "kam" == "to have" are highly irregular, but the present indicative and imperfect indicative, present subjunctive and imperative forms of them are highly similar as you can see from the charts below.

   


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. adhuroj == adorer == to worship
  3. aktualitet, -i, -e == une actualité == an actuality
  4. alkool, -i, -e == un alcool == alcohol
  5. ambasadë, -a, -a == une ambassade == an embassy
  6. ansambël, -li, -lë == un ensamble == a (performing) group
  7. avion, -i, -ë == un avion == an airplane
  8. avokat, -i, -e == un avocat == a lawyer
  9. bibliotekë, -a, -a == une bibliothèque == a library
  10. biftek, -u, -ë == un bifteck == a beefsteak
  11. biletë, -a, -a == un billet == a ticket
  12. bluzë, -a, -a == une blouse == a blouse
  13. bursë, -a, -a == une bourse == this word means both, like in French, a stock exchange and a study grant for undergraduates
  14. diskotekë, -a, -a == une discothèque == a diskotheque
  15. dakord == d'accord == agreed, all right
  16. i disponueshëm, e -me == disponible
  17. divorc == un divorce == a divorce
  18. ekspozitë, -a, -a == une exposition == an exhibition
  19. emision, -i, -e == une émission == TV/radio show, program, broadcast
  20. fill, -i, fije == un fil == a thread
  21. financiar, -e == financier == financial
  22. fizikë, -a == une physique == physics
  23. Francẽ, -a, -a == La France == France
  24. francez, -i, -ë == un français == a French
  25. francez, -e == français, -e == French (adj.)
  26. galeri, -a, - == une galerie == a gallery
  27. gaz, -i, -e == un gaz == a gas
  28. gjeografik, -e == géographique == geographic
  29. grevë == une grève == a strike
  30. gri == gris == grey
  31. grip, -i, -e == une grippe == a flu
  32. ide, -ja, - == une idée == an idea
  33. inkonjito == incognito == incognito
  34. institucion, -i, -e == une institution == an institution
  35. interesant, -e == interesant == interesting
  36. inxhinier, -i, -ë == un ingénieur == an engineer
  37. juridik, -e == juridique == legal, judicial
  38. kabinë, -a, -a == une cabine == a booth
  39. kafe, -ja, -e == un café == a coffee
  40. kanal, -i, -e == un canal == a channel
  41. kanion, -i, -e == un canyon == a canyon
  42. karakter, -i, -e == un caractère == a character, nature
  43. karakteristik, -e == caractéristique == characteristic
  44. karotë, -a, -a == une carotte == a carrot
  45. kartë, -a, -a == une carte == a card (also a paper)
  46. kartë krediti == une carte de crédit == a credit card
  47. katër == quatre == four
  48. katolik, -e == catholique == catholic
  49. këmishë, -a, -ë == une chemise == a shirt
  50. kimi, -a == chimie == chemistry
  51. klient, -i, -ë == un client == a client
  52. koleg, -u, -ë == un collègue == a colleague
  53. komedi, -a, - == une comédie == a comedy
  54. komplikacion, -i, -e == une complication == a complication
  55. kontratë, -a, -a == un contrat == a contract, agreement
  56. kostum, -i, -e == un costume == a costume, a suit
  57. krem, -, -e == une crème == cream
  58. krem karamel == la crème caramel == caramel dessert
  59. krizë, -a, -a == une crise == a crisis
  60. kronikë, -a, -a == une chronique == a chronicle, news
  61. kuadër, -ri, -ro == un cadre == frame, setting
  62. kulturë, -a, -a == une culture == a culture
  63. kurs, -i, -e == un course == rate, course
  64. kuzhinë, -a, -a == une cuisine == a kitchen
  65. laborator, -i, -ë == un laboratoire == a laboratory
  66. lahutë, -a, -a == un luth == a lute
  67. latin, -e == latin -e
  68. latino-amerkan -e == Latino-américain -e
  69. legjendë, -a, -a == une légende == a legend
  70. librari, -a, - == une librarie == a bookstore
  71. linjë, -a, -a == une ligne == a line
  72. lokal, -i,- e == un local == premises, room
  73. madhësti -a == une majesté == a majesty
  74. maj, -i == maj == May
  75. mandarinë, -a, -a == une mandarine == a mandarin
  76. mars, -i == mars == March
  77. mathematikë, -a, == un mathématique == mathematics
  78. më == me == me, to me (attn. më can be a number of other things to in sentences)
  79. meny, -ja, - == un menu == a menu
  80. menyrë, -a, -a == une manière == manner, way
  81. mesazh -i, -e == un message == a message
  82. miliard, -i, -ë == un milliard == a billion
  83. milion, -i, ë == un million == a million
  84. modë, -a == une mode == fashion
  85. monogami, -a, -a == la monogamie == monogamy
  86. mur, -i, -e == un mur == a wall
  87. muzë, -u - == un musée == a museum
  88. natyrë, -a == une nature == a nature
  89. oriz, -i == riz == rice
  90. paketë, -a, -a == un paquet == a package
  91. park, -u, -qe == un parc == a park
  92. pasion, -i, -e == une passion == a passion
  93. peizazh, -i, -e == un paysage == a scenery
  94. periudhë, -a, -a == une période == a period, time
  95. person, -i, -a == une personne == a person
  96. personalitet, -i, -e == une personnalité == a personality
  97. përqindje, -a, -e == un pourcentage == a percentage
  98. pishinë, -a, -a == une piscine == a swimming pool
  99. pistë, -a, -a == une piste == lane, floor
  100. pjesë, -a, -e == une pièce == a piece
  101. plazh, -i, -e == une plage == a beach
  102. portë, -a, -a == une porte == a gate
  103. pozicion, -i, -e == une position == a position
  104. prezantim == présentation == presentation
  105. principatë, -a, -a == une principauté == a principality, princedom
  106. prozë, -a, -a == une prose == a prose
  107. pulë, -a, -a == un poulet == a chicken
  108. qershi, -a, - == une cerise == a cherry
  109. qiell, -lli, -j == le ciel == the sky.
  110. recepsioniste, -ja, -e == une réceptionniste == a receptionist (fem.)
  111. rezultat, -i, -e == un résultat == a result
  112. rigon, -i == origan == oregano
  113. rol, -i, -e == un rôle == a role
  114. roman, -i, -e == un roman == a novel
  115. sallë, -a, -a == une salle == lobby, auditorium, room
  116. sandale, -ja, -e == une sandale == a sandal
  117. seri, -a, - == une série == a series
  118. shans, -i, -e == une chance == a chance
  119. shef, -i, -a == le chef == a chef, a chief, a boss
  120. shifër, -ra, -ra == un chiffre == a figure, cipher
  121. shofer, -i, -ë == un chauffeur == a driver
  122. shurup, -i, -e == un sirop == a syrup
  123. sistem, -i, -ë == un système == a system
  124. strateg, -u, -ë == un stratège == a strategist
  125. strategjik, -e == stratégique == strategic
  126. studio, -ja, - == un studio == a studio
  127. supë, -a, -a == une soupe == a soup
  128. suvenir, -i, -e == un souvenir == a souvenir
  129. tabelë, -a, -a == une table == (black)board
  130. tarracë, -a, -a == une terrasse == a terrace
  131. teatër, -ri, -ro - un théâtre - a theatre
  132. teatralë, -e == théâtral == theatrical
  133. teknik, -e == technique == technical
  134. teknologji, -a, - == une technologie == a technology
  135. temperaturë, -a, -a == une température == a temperature
  136. transfertë, -a, -a == un transfert == a transfer, transaction
  137. i,e trishtuar - triste - sad
  138. temë, -a, -a == un thème == a theme, topic
  139. tension, -i == une tension (artérielle) == blood pressure
  140. traditë, -a, -a == une tradition == a tradition
  141. trupë, -a, -a == une troupe == a troupe, company, band
  142. universitet, -i, -e == une université == an university
  143. valixhe, -ja, -e == une valise == a suitcase, baggage
  144. vegjetal, -e == végétal == vegetable (adj.)
  145. verandë, -a, -a == une véranda == a terrace, veranda
  146. vitrinë, -a, -a == une vitrine == a shop window
  147. vizë, -a, -a == un visa == a visa
  148. vizitë, -a, -a == une visite == a visit
  149. vizitor, -i, -ë == un visiteur == a visitor
  150. 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. faturë, -a, -a == una fattura == a bill
  12. fitore, -ja, -e == una vittoria == a victory
  13. forum, -i, -e == un forum == a forum
  14. i,e fortë == forte == strong
  15. i,e freskët == fresco == fresh
  16. freskues, -e == rinfrescante == refreshing
  17. garazh, -i, -e == un garage == a garage
  18. gjigand, -i, -ë == un gigante == a giant
  19. gjykatës, -i, - == un giudice == a judge
  20. gusht, -i == agosto == August
  21. higjenë, -a == igiene == hygiene
  22. institucion, -i, -e == un'istituzione == an institution
  23. kakao, -ja, - == un cacao == a cocoa
  24. kallamar, -i, -ë == un calamaro == a calamari
  25. kamarier, -i, -ë == un camriere == a waiter
  26. kamion, -i, -e == un camion == a truck
  27. kapelë, -a, -a == un cappello == a cap (hat)
  28. kapitull, -lli, -j == un capitolo == a chapter
  29. kështjellë, -a, -a == un castello == a castle
  30. klime, -a, -a == un clima == a climate
  31. krap,- i, krep == una carpa == a carp
  32. klimë, -a, -a == un clima == a climate
  33. konkurrencë, -a == concorrenza == a competition
  34. konkurrent, -i, -ë == un concorrente == a competitor
  35. konsum, -i, -e == un consumo == consumption
  36. kontribut, -i, -e == un contributo == a contribution
  37. libër, -ri, -ra == un libro == a book
  38. limon, -i, -ë == un limone == a lemon
  39. makinë, -a, -a == una macchina == a car
  40. mit, -i, -e == un mito == a myth
  41. mobilje, -a, -e == un mobile == furniture
  42. nip, -i, -a == un nipote == a cousin
  43. orë, -a, -ë == un'ora == an hour (or a clock)
  44. origjinë, -a, -a == un'orignine == an origin
  45. pacient, -i, -ë == un paziente == a patient (male)
  46. paqe, -ja == pace == peace
  47. papagall, -lli, -j == un pappagallo == a parrot
  48. pantallona, -t == un pantalone == pants
  49. patate, -ja, -e == una patata == a potato
  50. patatinë, -a, -a == patatine == potato chips
  51. peshk, -u, peshq == un pesce == a fish
  52. peshkatar, -i, -ë == un pescatore == a fisherman
  53. për == per == for, about
  54. peshë, -a, -a == peso == weight
  55. picë, -a, -a == una pizza == a pizza
  56. pikant, -i, -ë == piccante == spicy
  57. piktor, -i, -ë == un pittore == a painter
  58. pjatë, -a, -a == un piatto == a plate, a dish, a course (food)
  59. proshutë, -a, -a == un prosciutto == a ham (also means bacon)
  60. salcë, -ë, -a == una salsa == a sauce
  61. salsiçise, -ja, -e == una salsiccia == a sausage
  62. sallatë, -a, -a == un'insalata == a salad
  63. siguri, -a, - == una sicurezza == a security
  64. skuadër, -ra, -ra == una squadra == a team
  65. stilograf, -i, -ë == una penna stilografica == a fountain pen
  66. tendencë, -a, -a == una tendenza == a tendency, trend
  67. titull, -lli, -j == un titolo == a title
  68. tortë, -a, -a == una torta == a cake
  69. tradicional, -e == tradizionale == traditional
  70. tren, -i, -a == un treno == a train
  71. vazo, -ja, - == un vaso == a vaze
  72. 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. arrestim, -i, -e == an arrest
  22. arrestoj == to arrest
  23. arrogant, -e == arrogant
  24. artikull, -lli, -j == an article
  25. artist, -i, -ë == an artist
  26. artistik, -e == artistic
  27. atmosferë, -a, -a == an atmosphere
  28. audiencë, -a, -a == an audience
  29. autoritet, -i, -ë == an authority
  30. balet, -i, -e == a ballet
  31. banane, -ia, -e == a banana
  32. bankë, -a, -a == a bank
  33. banknotë, -a, -a == a banknote
  34. basketboll, -i == basketball
  35. basketbollist, -i, -ë == a baskeball player
  36. bazë, -ë, -a == a base
  37. blu == blue
  38. bojkot, -i, -e == a boycott
  39. botanik, -e == botanical
  40. brokoli == broccoli
  41. celular, -e == cellular
  42. ceremoni, -a, - == a ceremony
  43. çek, -ku, -qe == a check (payment instrument)
  44. datë, -a, -a == a date (time)
  45. datoj == to date (time)
  46. debat, -i, -e == a debate
  47. deklaroj == to declare
  48. dentar, -e == dental
  49. dentist, -i, -ë == a dentist
  50. derë, -a, dyer == a door
  51. desertor, -i ,-ë == a deserter
  52. deshirë, -a, -a == a desire
  53. deshiroj == to desire
  54. dialekt, -i, -e == a dialect
  55. dietë, -a, -a == a diet
  56. diplomat, -i, -ë == a diplomat
  57. diskutim, -i, -e == a discussion
  58. diskutoj == to discuss
  59. dixhital == digital
  60. dizanoj == to design
  61. dokument, -i, -e == a document
  62. dokumentar, -i, -ë == a documentary
  63. domate, -ja, -e == a tomato
  64. edukatë, -a == an education
  65. egoist, -i, -ë == an egoist
  66. ekonomi, -a == economics
  67. ekonomik, -e == economical
  68. ekonomist, -i, -ë == an economist
  69. ekskursion, -i, -e == an excursion
  70. ekzekutues, -e == executive
  71. elegant, -e == elegant
  72. elektricitet, -i == electricity
  73. elektronik, -e == electronic
  74. estetik, -e == aesthetic
  75. i famshëm, e famshme == famous
  76. fazë, -a, -a == a phase
  77. firmë, -a, -a == a firm (business)
  78. fakt, -i, -e == a fact
  79. fanellë, -a, -a == a flannel shirt, undershirt
  80. i favorishëm, e -me == favourable
  81. federal, -e == federal
  82. fenomen, -i, -e == a phenomenon
  83. festival, -i, -e == a festival
  84. fibër, -ra, -ra == a fiber
  85. filëte, -a, -a == a fillet
  86. film, -i, -a == a film
  87. financier, -i, -ë == a finacier
  88. formë, -a, -a == a form, shape (paper or digital form is formular)
  89. formoj == to form
  90. fotogjenik, -e == photogenic
  91. fotografi, -a, - == a photograph
  92. frutë, -a, -a == a fruit
  93. furnizim, -i, -e == furnishing, supplies
  94. futboll, -i == football (soccer)
  95. galeri, -a, - == a gallery
  96. gest, -i, -e == a gesture
  97. gjerman, -i, -ë == German (nationality)
  98. gjerman, -e == German (adj.)
  99. global, -e == global
  100. gradë, -a, -a == a grade, quality
  101. gjimnastikor, -i == gymnastic (adj.)
  102. grup, -i, -e == a group
  103. hamburger, -i, -ë == a hamburger
  104. harmonik, -e == harmonic
  105. hero, -i, -nj == a hero
  106. hezitoj == to hesitate
  107. himn, -i, -e == a hymn
  108. historik, -e == historical
  109. holl, -i, -e == a hall
  110. hotel, -i, -e == a hotel
  111. identifikim, -i, -e == an identification
  112. ikonografik, -e == iconographic
  113. imejl == email (also postë elektronike, email or e-mail)
  114. individual, -e == individual (adj.)
  115. industri, -a, -a == an industry
  116. infeksion, -i, -e == an infection
  117. informativ, -e == informative
  118. instrument, -i, -e == an instrument
  119. intensivisht == intensively
  120. intergritet == integrity
  121. interes, -i, -a == an interest
  122. internet, -i == the Internet
  123. interpretim, -i, -e == an interpretation
  124. interpretoj == to interpret
  125. Itali, -a == Italy
  126. italian, -e == Italian (adj.)
  127. italian, -i, -ë == Italian (nationality
  128. itinerar, -i, -e == an itinerary
  129. janar, -i == January
  130. ju == you
  131. kamp, -i, -e == a a camp
  132. katalog, -u, -ë == a catalogue
  133. katastrofë, -a, -a == a catastrophe
  134. kategori, -a, - == a category
  135. kështjellë, -a, -a == a castle, fortress
  136. kilogram, -i, -ë == a kilogram
  137. kilometër, -ri, -ra == a kilometer
  138. kivi == a kiwi (fruit)
  139. kler, -i, -e == a clergy
  140. klinikë, -a, -a == a clinic
  141. klub, -i, -e == a club
  142. kopjoj == to copy
  143. kolesterol, -i == a cholesterol
  144. kombinim, -i, -e == a combination
  145. kompani, -a, - == a company
  146. kompjuter, -i, -a == a computer
  147. kompresë, -a, -a == a compress
  148. komunitet, -i, -e == a community
  149. konferencë, -a, -a == a conference
  150. konfirmoj == to confirm
  151. konfuzion, -i, -e == a confusion
  152. konfirmim, -i, -e == a confirmation
  153. kongres, -i, -e == a congress
  154. konsideroj == to consider
  155. konsull, -lli, -j == a consul
  156. konsumoj == to consume
  157. kontaktoj == to contact
  158. kontrolloj == to control, inspect, examine
  159. kontroll, -i, -e == a control, check
  160. kopje, -a, -e == a copy
  161. korrigjoj == to correct
  162. krap, -i, krep == a carp
  163. krim, -i, -e == a crime
  164. kult, -i, -e == a cult
  165. kupë, -a, -a == a cup
  166. letër, -ra, -ra == a letter, a card
  167. lider == a leader
  168. litër, -ri, -ra == a liter
  169. magnet == a magnet
  170. material, -i, -e == material
  171. menaxher, -i, -ë == a manager
  172. madhësti, -a == majesty, grandiosity
  173. menaxhoj == to manage
  174. meritoj == to merit
  175. mineral == mineral
  176. ministër, -ri, -ra = a minister
  177. Ministri, -a, - == a ministry
  178. mister, -i, -e == a mystery
  179. modern, -e == modern
  180. moment, -i, -e == a moment
  181. monument, -i, -e == a monument
  182. mozaik, -i, -ë == a mosaic
  183. muzikë, -a == music
  184. oksigjen, -i, -e == oxygen
  185. opozitë, -a, -a == an opposition
  186. pako, -ja, - == a pack, packet, parcel
  187. parlament, -i, -e == a parliament
  188. park, -ku, -qe == a park
  189. periudhë, -a, -a == a period
  190. ping-pong == ping-pong, table tennis
  191. piper, -i == pepper (table spice)
  192. pjek == to bake
  193. plan, -i, -e == a plan
  194. planet, -i, -e == a planet
  195. poet, -i, -ë == a poet
  196. polifoni, -a, - == a polyphony
  197. popullor, -e == popular
  198. porcelan, -i == porcelain
  199. postë, -a, -a == mail, post office post
  200. prill, -i == April
  201. proces, -i, -e == a process
  202. puloverë, -a, -a == a pullover, a sweater
  203. qendër, -a, -a == a center
  204. radio, -ja, - == a radio
  205. recital, -i, -e == a recital
  206. restorant, -i, -e == a restaurant
  207. reumatizëm, -mi, -ma == rheumatism
  208. rezervë, -a, -a == a reserve
  209. i,e saktë == exact
  210. sandale == sandals
  211. sanduiç, -i, -ë == a sandwich
  212. sekret, -i, -e == a secret
  213. sekretar, -i, -ë == a secretary
  214. sekt, -i, -e == a sect
  215. semestër, -ri, -ra == a semester
  216. seminar, -i, -e == a seminar
  217. sezon, -i, -e == a season
  218. shkollë, -a, -a == a school
  219. shtet, -i, -e == a state, country
  220. simbolik, -e == symbolic, very cheap
  221. simptomë, -a, -a == a symptom
  222. sinjal, -i, -e == a signal
  223. i,e sinqertë == sincere
  224. situatë, -a, -a == a situation, condition
  225. skemë, -a, -a == a scheme
  226. social, -e == social
  227. solemn, -e == solemn, gala
  228. specifikë, -a, -a == a specific feature
  229. spektakël, -li, -le == a spectacle
  230. spektator, -i, -ë == a spectator
  231. spinaq, -i == spinach
  232. spital, -i, -e == a hospital
  233. sporadik, -e == sporadic
  234. statut, -i, -e == a statute
  235. sukses, -i, -e == success
  236. stomak, -u, -ë == a stomach
  237. stres, -i == stress
  238. studioj == to study
  239. taksi, -a, - == a taxi
  240. tekst, -i, -e == a text
  241. telefon, -i, -a == a telephone
  242. telefon celular == a cell phone
  243. tempull, -lli, -j == a temple
  244. terapi == a therapy
  245. trajtim, -i, -e == a treatment
  246. transferim, -i, -e == a transfer
  247. turist, -i, -ë == a tourist
  248. turistik, -e == touristic
  249. unik, -e == unique
  250. vaksinë, -a, -a == a vaccine
  251. vanilje, -a == vanilla
  252. variant, -i, -e == a variant, variation
  253. vëllim, -i, -e == volume
  254. vitaminë, -a, -a == a vitamin
  255. vizitoj == to visit
  256. volejboll, -i == volleyball
  257. votë, -a, -a == a vote
  258. votim, -i, -e == a voting
  259. xhaketë, -a, -a == a jacket
  260. xhinse == jeans, denim
  261. zero == zero
  262. 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. redaktor, -, -ë == en redaktör == an editor
  8. 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. leksion, -i, -e == лекция == a lecture
  9. pallto, -ja, - == пальто == a coat
  10. reklamë, -a, -a == реклама == an ad
  11. shah, -u == шах == chess
  12. televizor, -i, -ë == телевизор == television set
  13. ti == ты == you (singular)

Loan words for Turkish speakers

  1. bakllava, -ja, - == baklava == baklava
  2. byrek, -u, -ë == börek == a savory pie
  3. çorapë, -, -e == çorap == a sock
  4. hamam == hamam == Turkish bath
  5. kolltuk, -u, kolltuqe == koltuk == armchair, seat
  6. osman, -e == Osmanlı == ottoman
  7. sulltan, -i, -ë == sultan == a sultan
  8. sheqer, -i == şeker == sugar
  9. shishe, -ja, -e == şişe == a bottle
  10. 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.