Learning Albanian

Revision as of 12:35, 15 September 2018 by Jukeboksi (talk | contribs) (→‎Loan words for English speakers: + opinion, -i, -e == an opinion)

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. gjest, -i, -e == un geste == a gesture
  30. grevë == une grève == a strike
  31. gri == gris == grey
  32. grip, -i, -e == une grippe == a flu
  33. ide, -ja, - == une idée == an idea
  34. inkonjito == incognito == incognito
  35. institucion, -i, -e == une institution == an institution
  36. interesant, -e == interesant == interesting
  37. inxhinier, -i, -ë == un ingénieur == an engineer
  38. juridik, -e == juridique == legal, judicial
  39. kabinë, -a, -a == une cabine == a booth
  40. kafe, -ja, -e == un café == a coffee
  41. kanal, -i, -e == un canal == a channel
  42. kanion, -i, -e == un canyon == a canyon
  43. karakter, -i, -e == un caractère == a character, nature
  44. karakteristik, -e == caractéristique == characteristic
  45. karotë, -a, -a == une carotte == a carrot
  46. kartë, -a, -a == une carte == a card (also a paper)
  47. kartë krediti == une carte de crédit == a credit card
  48. katër == quatre == four
  49. katolik, -e == catholique == catholic
  50. këmishë, -a, -ë == une chemise == a shirt
  51. kimi, -a == chimie == chemistry
  52. klient, -i, -ë == un client == a client
  53. koleg, -u, -ë == un collègue == a colleague
  54. komedi, -a, - == une comédie == a comedy
  55. komplikacion, -i, -e == une complication == a complication
  56. kontratë, -a, -a == un contrat == a contract, agreement
  57. kostum, -i, -e == un costume == a costume, a suit
  58. krem, -, -e == une crème == cream
  59. krem karamel == la crème caramel == caramel dessert
  60. krizë, -a, -a == une crise == a crisis
  61. kronikë, -a, -a == une chronique == a chronicle, news
  62. kuadër, -ri, -ro == un cadre == frame, setting
  63. kulturë, -a, -a == une culture == a culture
  64. kurs, -i, -e == un course == rate, course
  65. kuzhinë, -a, -a == une cuisine == a kitchen
  66. laborator, -i, -ë == un laboratoire == a laboratory
  67. lahutë, -a, -a == un luth == a lute
  68. latin, -e == latin -e
  69. latino-amerkan -e == Latino-américain -e
  70. legjendë, -a, -a == une légende == a legend
  71. librari, -a, - == une librarie == a bookstore
  72. linjë, -a, -a == une ligne == a line
  73. lokal, -i,- e == un local == premises, room
  74. madhësti -a == une majesté == a majesty
  75. maj, -i == maj == May
  76. mandarinë, -a, -a == une mandarine == a mandarin
  77. mars, -i == mars == March
  78. mathematikë, -a, == un mathématique == mathematics
  79. më == me == me, to me (attn. më can be a number of other things to in sentences)
  80. meny, -ja, - == un menu == a menu
  81. menyrë, -a, -a == une manière == manner, way
  82. mesazh -i, -e == un message == a message
  83. miliard, -i, -ë == un milliard == a billion
  84. milion, -i, ë == un million == a million
  85. modë, -a == une mode == fashion
  86. monogami, -a, -a == la monogamie == monogamy
  87. mur, -i, -e == un mur == a wall
  88. muzë, -u - == un musée == a museum
  89. natyrë, -a == une nature == a nature
  90. oriz, -i == riz == rice
  91. paketë, -a, -a == un paquet == a package
  92. park, -u, -qe == un parc == a park
  93. pasion, -i, -e == une passion == a passion
  94. peizazh, -i, -e == un paysage == a scenery
  95. periudhë, -a, -a == une période == a period, time
  96. person, -i, -a == une personne == a person
  97. personalitet, -i, -e == une personnalité == a personality
  98. përqindje, -a, -e == un pourcentage == a percentage
  99. pishinë, -a, -a == une piscine == a swimming pool
  100. pistë, -a, -a == une piste == lane, floor
  101. pjesë, -a, -e == une pièce == a piece
  102. plazh, -i, -e == une plage == a beach
  103. portë, -a, -a == une porte == a gate
  104. pozicion, -i, -e == une position == a position
  105. prezantim == présentation == presentation
  106. principatë, -a, -a == une principauté == a principality, princedom
  107. prozë, -a, -a == une prose == a prose
  108. pulë, -a, -a == un poulet == a chicken
  109. qershi, -a, - == une cerise == a cherry
  110. qiell, -lli, -j == le ciel == the sky.
  111. recepsioniste, -ja, -e == une réceptionniste == a receptionist (fem.)
  112. rezultat, -i, -e == un résultat == a result
  113. rigon, -i == origan == oregano
  114. rol, -i, -e == un rôle == a role
  115. roman, -i, -e == un roman == a novel
  116. sallë, -a, -a == une salle == lobby, auditorium, room
  117. sandale, -ja, -e == une sandale == a sandal
  118. seri, -a, - == une série == a series
  119. shans, -i, -e == une chance == a chance
  120. shef, -i, -a == le chef == a chef, a chief, a boss
  121. shifër, -ra, -ra == un chiffre == a figure, cipher
  122. shofer, -i, -ë == un chauffeur == a driver
  123. shurup, -i, -e == un sirop == a syrup
  124. sistem, -i, -ë == un système == a system
  125. strateg, -u, -ë == un stratège == a strategist
  126. strategjik, -e == stratégique == strategic
  127. studio, -ja, - == un studio == a studio
  128. supë, -a, -a == une soupe == a soup
  129. suvenir, -i, -e == un souvenir == a souvenir
  130. tabelë, -a, -a == une table == (black)board
  131. tarracë, -a, -a == une terrasse == a terrace
  132. teatër, -ri, -ro - un théâtre - a theatre
  133. teatralë, -e == théâtral == theatrical
  134. teknik, -e == technique == technical
  135. teknologji, -a, - == une technologie == a technology
  136. temperaturë, -a, -a == une température == a temperature
  137. transfertë, -a, -a == un transfert == a transfer, transaction
  138. i,e trishtuar - triste - sad
  139. temë, -a, -a == un thème == a theme, topic
  140. tension, -i == une tension (artérielle) == blood pressure
  141. traditë, -a, -a == une tradition == a tradition
  142. trupë, -a, -a == une troupe == a troupe, company, band
  143. universitet, -i, -e == une université == an university
  144. valixhe, -ja, -e == une valise == a suitcase, baggage
  145. vegjetal, -e == végétal == vegetable (adj.)
  146. verandë, -a, -a == une véranda == a terrace, veranda
  147. vitrinë, -a, -a == une vitrine == a shop window
  148. vizë, -a, -a == un visa == a visa
  149. vizitë, -a, -a == une visite == a visit
  150. vizitor, -i, -ë == un visiteur == a visitor
  151. 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. ambasador, -i, -ë == an ambassador
  12. amerikan, -i, -ë == an American
  13. amfiteatër, -ri, -ro == an amphitheater
  14. antik, -e == antique
  15. antikitet, -i == antiquity
  16. antologji == an anthology
  17. apartament, -i, -e == an apartment
  18. arkeolog, -u, -ë == an archaeologist
  19. arkeologjik, -e == archaeological
  20. arkitekturor, -e == architectural
  21. aromë, -a, -a == an aroma
  22. arrestim, -i, -e == an arrest
  23. arrestoj == to arrest
  24. arrogant, -e == arrogant
  25. artikull, -lli, -j == an article
  26. artist, -i, -ë == an artist
  27. artistik, -e == artistic
  28. atmosferë, -a, -a == an atmosphere
  29. audiencë, -a, -a == an audience
  30. autoritet, -i, -ë == an authority
  31. balet, -i, -e == a ballet
  32. banane, -ia, -e == a banana
  33. bankë, -a, -a == a bank
  34. banknotë, -a, -a == a banknote
  35. basketboll, -i == basketball
  36. basketbollist, -i, -ë == a baskeball player
  37. bazë, -ë, -a == a base
  38. blu == blue
  39. bojkot, -i, -e == a boycott
  40. botanik, -e == botanical
  41. brokoli == broccoli
  42. celular, -e == cellular
  43. ceremoni, -a, - == a ceremony
  44. çek, -ku, -qe == a check (payment instrument)
  45. datë, -a, -a == a date (time)
  46. datoj == to date (time)
  47. debat, -i, -e == a debate
  48. deklaroj == to declare
  49. dentar, -e == dental
  50. dentist, -i, -ë == a dentist
  51. derë, -a, dyer == a door
  52. desertor, -i ,-ë == a deserter
  53. deshirë, -a, -a == a desire
  54. deshiroj == to desire
  55. dialekt, -i, -e == a dialect
  56. dietë, -a, -a == a diet
  57. diplomat, -i, -ë == a diplomat
  58. diskutim, -i, -e == a discussion
  59. diskutoj == to discuss
  60. dixhital == digital
  61. dizanoj == to design
  62. dokument, -i, -e == a document
  63. dokumentar, -i, -ë == a documentary
  64. domate, -ja, -e == a tomato
  65. editorial, -i, -e == an editorial
  66. edukatë, -a == an education
  67. egoist, -i, -ë == an egoist
  68. ekonomi, -a == economics
  69. ekonomik, -e == economical
  70. ekonomist, -i, -ë == an economist
  71. ekskursion, -i, -e == an excursion
  72. ekzekutues, -e == executive
  73. elegant, -e == elegant
  74. elektricitet, -i == electricity
  75. elektronik, -e == electronic
  76. estetik, -e == aesthetic
  77. i famshëm, e famshme == famous
  78. fazë, -a, -a == a phase
  79. firmë, -a, -a == a firm (business)
  80. fakt, -i, -e == a fact
  81. fanellë, -a, -a == a flannel shirt, undershirt
  82. i favorishëm, e -me == favourable
  83. federal, -e == federal
  84. fenomen, -i, -e == a phenomenon
  85. festival, -i, -e == a festival
  86. fibër, -ra, -ra == a fiber
  87. filëte, -a, -a == a fillet
  88. film, -i, -a == a film
  89. financier, -i, -ë == a finacier
  90. formë, -a, -a == a form, shape (paper or digital form is formular)
  91. formoj == to form
  92. fotogjenik, -e == photogenic
  93. fotografi, -a, - == a photograph
  94. frutë, -a, -a == a fruit
  95. furnizim, -i, -e == furnishing, supplies
  96. futboll, -i == football (soccer)
  97. galeri, -a, - == a gallery
  98. gest, -i, -e == a gesture
  99. gjerman, -i, -ë == German (nationality)
  100. gjerman, -e == German (adj.)
  101. global, -e == global
  102. gradë, -a, -a == a grade, quality
  103. gjimnastikor, -i == gymnastic (adj.)
  104. grup, -i, -e == a group
  105. hamburger, -i, -ë == a hamburger
  106. harmonik, -e == harmonic
  107. hero, -i, -nj == a hero
  108. hezitoj == to hesitate
  109. himn, -i, -e == a hymn
  110. historik, -e == historical
  111. holl, -i, -e == a hall
  112. hotel, -i, -e == a hotel
  113. identifikim, -i, -e == an identification
  114. ikonografik, -e == iconographic
  115. imejl == email (also postë elektronike, email or e-mail)
  116. individual, -e == individual (adj.)
  117. industri, -a, -a == an industry
  118. infeksion, -i, -e == an infection
  119. informativ, -e == informative
  120. instrument, -i, -e == an instrument
  121. intensivisht == intensively
  122. intergritet == integrity
  123. interes, -i, -a == an interest
  124. internet, -i == the Internet
  125. interpretim, -i, -e == an interpretation
  126. interpretoj == to interpret
  127. Itali, -a == Italy
  128. italian, -e == Italian (adj.)
  129. italian, -i, -ë == Italian (nationality
  130. itinerar, -i, -e == an itinerary
  131. janar, -i == January
  132. ju == you
  133. kamp, -i, -e == a a camp
  134. katalog, -u, -ë == a catalogue
  135. katastrofë, -a, -a == a catastrophe
  136. kategori, -a, - == a category
  137. kështjellë, -a, -a == a castle, fortress
  138. kilogram, -i, -ë == a kilogram
  139. kilometër, -ri, -ra == a kilometer
  140. kivi == a kiwi (fruit)
  141. kler, -i, -e == a clergy
  142. klinikë, -a, -a == a clinic
  143. klub, -i, -e == a club
  144. kopjoj == to copy
  145. kolesterol, -i == a cholesterol
  146. kombinim, -i, -e == a combination
  147. kompani, -a, - == a company
  148. kompjuter, -i, -a == a computer
  149. kompresë, -a, -a == a compress
  150. komunitet, -i, -e == a community
  151. konferencë, -a, -a == a conference
  152. konfirmoj == to confirm
  153. konfuzion, -i, -e == a confusion
  154. konfirmim, -i, -e == a confirmation
  155. kongres, -i, -e == a congress
  156. konsideroj == to consider
  157. konsull, -lli, -j == a consul
  158. konsumoj == to consume
  159. kontaktoj == to contact
  160. kontrolloj == to control, inspect, examine
  161. kontroll, -i, -e == a control, check
  162. kopje, -a, -e == a copy
  163. korrigjoj == to correct
  164. krap, -i, krep == a carp
  165. krim, -i, -e == a crime
  166. kult, -i, -e == a cult
  167. kupë, -a, -a == a cup
  168. letër, -ra, -ra == a letter, a card
  169. lider == a leader
  170. litër, -ri, -ra == a liter
  171. magnet == a magnet
  172. marshoj == to march
  173. material, -i, -e == material
  174. menaxher, -i, -ë == a manager
  175. madhësti, -a == majesty, grandiosity
  176. menaxhoj == to manage
  177. meritoj == to merit
  178. mineral == mineral
  179. ministër, -ri, -ra = a minister
  180. Ministri, -a, - == a ministry
  181. mister, -i, -e == a mystery
  182. modern, -e == modern
  183. moment, -i, -e == a moment
  184. monument, -i, -e == a monument
  185. mozaik, -i, -ë == a mosaic
  186. muzikë, -a == music
  187. oksigjen, -i, -e == oxygen
  188. opinion, -i, -e == an opinion (also mendim)
  189. opozitë, -a, -a == an opposition
  190. pako, -ja, - == a pack, packet, parcel
  191. parlament, -i, -e == a parliament
  192. park, -ku, -qe == a park
  193. periudhë, -a, -a == a period
  194. ping-pong == ping-pong, table tennis
  195. piper, -i == pepper (table spice)
  196. pjek == to bake
  197. plan, -i, -e == a plan
  198. planet, -i, -e == a planet
  199. poet, -i, -ë == a poet
  200. polifoni, -a, - == a polyphony
  201. popullor, -e == popular
  202. porcelan, -i == porcelain
  203. postë, -a, -a == mail, post office post
  204. prill, -i == April
  205. proces, -i, -e == a process
  206. puloverë, -a, -a == a pullover, a sweater
  207. qendër, -a, -a == a center
  208. radio, -ja, - == a radio
  209. recital, -i, -e == a recital
  210. restorant, -i, -e == a restaurant
  211. reumatizëm, -mi, -ma == rheumatism
  212. rezervë, -a, -a == a reserve
  213. i,e saktë == exact
  214. sandale == sandals
  215. sanduiç, -i, -ë == a sandwich
  216. sekret, -i, -e == a secret
  217. sekretar, -i, -ë == a secretary
  218. sekt, -i, -e == a sect
  219. semestër, -ri, -ra == a semester
  220. seminar, -i, -e == a seminar
  221. sezon, -i, -e == a season
  222. shkollë, -a, -a == a school
  223. shtet, -i, -e == a state, country
  224. simbolik, -e == symbolic, very cheap
  225. simptomë, -a, -a == a symptom
  226. sinjal, -i, -e == a signal
  227. i,e sinqertë == sincere
  228. situatë, -a, -a == a situation, condition
  229. skemë, -a, -a == a scheme
  230. social, -e == social
  231. solemn, -e == solemn, gala
  232. specifikë, -a, -a == a specific feature
  233. spektakël, -li, -le == a spectacle
  234. spektator, -i, -ë == a spectator
  235. spinaq, -i == spinach
  236. spital, -i, -e == a hospital
  237. sporadik, -e == sporadic
  238. statut, -i, -e == a statute
  239. sukses, -i, -e == success
  240. stomak, -u, -ë == a stomach
  241. stres, -i == stress
  242. studioj == to study
  243. taksi, -a, - == a taxi
  244. tekst, -i, -e == a text
  245. telefon, -i, -a == a telephone
  246. telefon celular == a cell phone
  247. tempull, -lli, -j == a temple
  248. terapi == a therapy
  249. trajtim, -i, -e == a treatment
  250. transferim, -i, -e == a transfer
  251. turist, -i, -ë == a tourist
  252. turistik, -e == touristic
  253. unik, -e == unique
  254. vaksinë, -a, -a == a vaccine
  255. vanilje, -a == vanilla
  256. variant, -i, -e == a variant, variation
  257. vëllim, -i, -e == volume
  258. vitaminë, -a, -a == a vitamin
  259. vizitoj == to visit
  260. volejboll, -i == volleyball
  261. votë, -a, -a == a vote
  262. votim, -i, -e == a voting
  263. xhaketë, -a, -a == a jacket
  264. xhinse == jeans, denim
  265. zero == zero
  266. 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.