Learning Albanian

Revision as of 08:42, 17 September 2018 by Jukeboksi (talk | contribs) (→‎Loan words for English speakers: + elitë, -a, -a == an elite)

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. analizë, -a, -a == une analyse == an analysis
  7. ansambël, -li, -lë == un ensamble == a (performing) group
  8. avion, -i, -ë == un avion == an airplane
  9. avokat, -i, -e == un avocat == a lawyer
  10. bibliotekë, -a, -a == une bibliothèque == a library
  11. biftek, -u, -ë == un bifteck == a beefsteak
  12. biletë, -a, -a == un billet == a ticket
  13. bluzë, -a, -a == une blouse == a blouse
  14. bursë, -a, -a == une bourse == this word means both, like in French, a stock exchange and a study grant for undergraduates
  15. diskotekë, -a, -a == une discothèque == a diskotheque
  16. dakord == d'accord == agreed, all right
  17. i disponueshëm, e -me == disponible
  18. divorc == un divorce == a divorce
  19. ekspozitë, -a, -a == une exposition == an exhibition
  20. emision, -i, -e == une émission == TV/radio show, program, broadcast
  21. fill, -i, fije == un fil == a thread
  22. financiar, -e == financier == financial
  23. fizikë, -a == une physique == physics
  24. Francẽ, -a, -a == La France == France
  25. francez, -i, -ë == un français == a French
  26. francez, -e == français, -e == French (adj.)
  27. galeri, -a, - == une galerie == a gallery
  28. gaz, -i, -e == un gaz == a gas
  29. gjeografik, -e == géographique == geographic
  30. gjest, -i, -e == un geste == a gesture
  31. grevë == une grève == a strike
  32. gri == gris == grey
  33. grip, -i, -e == une grippe == a flu
  34. ide, -ja, - == une idée == an idea
  35. inkonjito == incognito == incognito
  36. institucion, -i, -e == une institution == an institution
  37. interesant, -e == interesant == interesting
  38. inxhinier, -i, -ë == un ingénieur == an engineer
  39. juridik, -e == juridique == legal, judicial
  40. kabinë, -a, -a == une cabine == a booth
  41. kafe, -ja, -e == un café == a coffee
  42. kanal, -i, -e == un canal == a channel
  43. kanion, -i, -e == un canyon == a canyon
  44. karakter, -i, -e == un caractère == a character, nature
  45. karakteristik, -e == caractéristique == characteristic
  46. karotë, -a, -a == une carotte == a carrot
  47. kartë, -a, -a == une carte == a card (also a paper)
  48. kartë krediti == une carte de crédit == a credit card
  49. katër == quatre == four
  50. katolik, -e == catholique == catholic
  51. këmishë, -a, -ë == une chemise == a shirt
  52. kimi, -a == chimie == chemistry
  53. klient, -i, -ë == un client == a client
  54. koleg, -u, -ë == un collègue == a colleague
  55. komedi, -a, - == une comédie == a comedy
  56. komplikacion, -i, -e == une complication == a complication
  57. kontratë, -a, -a == un contrat == a contract, agreement
  58. kostum, -i, -e == un costume == a costume, a suit
  59. krem, -, -e == une crème == cream
  60. krem karamel == la crème caramel == caramel dessert
  61. krizë, -a, -a == une crise == a crisis
  62. kronikë, -a, -a == une chronique == a chronicle, news
  63. kuadër, -ri, -ro == un cadre == frame, setting
  64. kulturë, -a, -a == une culture == a culture
  65. kurs, -i, -e == un course == rate, course
  66. kuzhinë, -a, -a == une cuisine == a kitchen
  67. laborator, -i, -ë == un laboratoire == a laboratory
  68. lahutë, -a, -a == un luth == a lute
  69. latin, -e == latin -e
  70. latino-amerkan -e == Latino-américain -e
  71. legjendë, -a, -a == une légende == a legend
  72. librari, -a, - == une librarie == a bookstore
  73. linjë, -a, -a == une ligne == a line
  74. lokal, -i,- e == un local == premises, room
  75. madhësti -a == une majesté == a majesty
  76. maj, -i == maj == May
  77. mandarinë, -a, -a == une mandarine == a mandarin
  78. mars, -i == mars == March
  79. mathematikë, -a, == un mathématique == mathematics
  80. më == me == me, to me (attn. më can be a number of other things to in sentences)
  81. meny, -ja, - == un menu == a menu
  82. menyrë, -a, -a == une manière == manner, way
  83. mesazh -i, -e == un message == a message
  84. miliard, -i, -ë == un milliard == a billion
  85. milion, -i, ë == un million == a million
  86. modë, -a == une mode == fashion
  87. monogami, -a, -a == la monogamie == monogamy
  88. mur, -i, -e == un mur == a wall
  89. muzë, -u - == un musée == a museum
  90. natyrë, -a == une nature == a nature
  91. oriz, -i == riz == rice
  92. paketë, -a, -a == un paquet == a package
  93. park, -u, -qe == un parc == a park
  94. pasion, -i, -e == une passion == a passion
  95. peizazh, -i, -e == un paysage == a scenery
  96. periudhë, -a, -a == une période == a period, time
  97. person, -i, -a == une personne == a person
  98. personalitet, -i, -e == une personnalité == a personality
  99. përqindje, -a, -e == un pourcentage == a percentage
  100. pishinë, -a, -a == une piscine == a swimming pool
  101. pistë, -a, -a == une piste == lane, floor
  102. pjesë, -a, -e == une pièce == a piece
  103. plazh, -i, -e == une plage == a beach
  104. portë, -a, -a == une porte == a gate
  105. pozicion, -i, -e == une position == a position
  106. prezantim == présentation == presentation
  107. principatë, -a, -a == une principauté == a principality, princedom
  108. prozë, -a, -a == une prose == a prose
  109. pulë, -a, -a == un poulet == a chicken
  110. qershi, -a, - == une cerise == a cherry
  111. qiell, -lli, -j == le ciel == the sky.
  112. recepsioniste, -ja, -e == une réceptionniste == a receptionist (fem.)
  113. rezultat, -i, -e == un résultat == a result
  114. rigon, -i == origan == oregano
  115. rol, -i, -e == un rôle == a role
  116. roman, -i, -e == un roman == a novel
  117. sallë, -a, -a == une salle == lobby, auditorium, room
  118. sandale, -ja, -e == une sandale == a sandal
  119. seri, -a, - == une série == a series
  120. shans, -i, -e == une chance == a chance
  121. shef, -i, -a == le chef == a chef, a chief, a boss
  122. shifër, -ra, -ra == un chiffre == a figure, cipher
  123. shofer, -i, -ë == un chauffeur == a driver
  124. shurup, -i, -e == un sirop == a syrup
  125. sistem, -i, -ë == un système == a system
  126. strateg, -u, -ë == un stratège == a strategist
  127. strategjik, -e == stratégique == strategic
  128. studio, -ja, - == un studio == a studio
  129. supë, -a, -a == une soupe == a soup
  130. suvenir, -i, -e == un souvenir == a souvenir
  131. tabelë, -a, -a == une table == (black)board
  132. tarracë, -a, -a == une terrasse == a terrace
  133. teatër, -ri, -ro - un théâtre - a theatre
  134. teatralë, -e == théâtral == theatrical
  135. teknik, -e == technique == technical
  136. teknologji, -a, - == une technologie == a technology
  137. temperaturë, -a, -a == une température == a temperature
  138. transfertë, -a, -a == un transfert == a transfer, transaction
  139. i,e trishtuar - triste - sad
  140. temë, -a, -a == un thème == a theme, topic
  141. tension, -i == une tension (artérielle) == blood pressure
  142. traditë, -a, -a == une tradition == a tradition
  143. trupë, -a, -a == une troupe == a troupe, company, band
  144. universitet, -i, -e == une université == an university
  145. valixhe, -ja, -e == une valise == a suitcase, baggage
  146. vegjetal, -e == végétal == vegetable (adj.)
  147. verandë, -a, -a == une véranda == a terrace, veranda
  148. vitrinë, -a, -a == une vitrine == a shop window
  149. vizë, -a, -a == un visa == a visa
  150. vizitë, -a, -a == une visite == a visit
  151. vizitor, -i, -ë == un visiteur == a visitor
  152. 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. autoritarist, -e == authoritarian
  31. autoritet, -i, -ë == an authority
  32. balet, -i, -e == a ballet
  33. banane, -ia, -e == a banana
  34. bankë, -a, -a == a bank
  35. banknotë, -a, -a == a banknote
  36. basketboll, -i == basketball
  37. basketbollist, -i, -ë == a baskeball player
  38. bazë, -ë, -a == a base
  39. blu == blue
  40. bojkot, -i, -e == a boycott
  41. botanik, -e == botanical
  42. brokoli == broccoli
  43. celular, -e == cellular
  44. ceremoni, -a, - == a ceremony
  45. çek, -ku, -qe == a check (payment instrument)
  46. datë, -a, -a == a date (time)
  47. datoj == to date (time)
  48. debat, -i, -e == a debate
  49. deklaroj == to declare
  50. dentar, -e == dental
  51. dentist, -i, -ë == a dentist
  52. derë, -a, dyer == a door
  53. desertor, -i ,-ë == a deserter
  54. deshirë, -a, -a == a desire
  55. deshiroj == to desire
  56. dialekt, -i, -e == a dialect
  57. dietë, -a, -a == a diet
  58. diplomat, -i, -ë == a diplomat
  59. diskutim, -i, -e == a discussion
  60. diskutoj == to discuss
  61. dixhital == digital
  62. dizanoj == to design
  63. dokument, -i, -e == a document
  64. dokumentar, -i, -ë == a documentary
  65. domate, -ja, -e == a tomato
  66. editorial, -i, -e == an editorial
  67. edukatë, -a == an education
  68. egoist, -i, -ë == an egoist
  69. ekonomi, -a == economics
  70. ekonomik, -e == economical
  71. ekonomist, -i, -ë == an economist
  72. ekskursion, -i, -e == an excursion
  73. ekzekutues, -e == executive
  74. elegant, -e == elegant
  75. elektricitet, -i == electricity
  76. elektronik, -e == electronic
  77. elitë, -a, -a == an elite
  78. estetik, -e == aesthetic
  79. i famshëm, e famshme == famous
  80. fazë, -a, -a == a phase
  81. firmë, -a, -a == a firm (business)
  82. fakt, -i, -e == a fact
  83. fanellë, -a, -a == a flannel shirt, undershirt
  84. i favorishëm, e -me == favourable
  85. federal, -e == federal
  86. fenomen, -i, -e == a phenomenon
  87. festival, -i, -e == a festival
  88. fibër, -ra, -ra == a fiber
  89. filëte, -a, -a == a fillet
  90. film, -i, -a == a film
  91. financier, -i, -ë == a finacier
  92. formë, -a, -a == a form, shape (paper or digital form is formular)
  93. formoj == to form
  94. fotogjenik, -e == photogenic
  95. fotografi, -a, - == a photograph
  96. frutë, -a, -a == a fruit
  97. furnizim, -i, -e == furnishing, supplies
  98. futboll, -i == football (soccer)
  99. galeri, -a, - == a gallery
  100. gest, -i, -e == a gesture
  101. gjerman, -i, -ë == German (nationality)
  102. gjerman, -e == German (adj.)
  103. global, -e == global
  104. gradë, -a, -a == a grade, quality
  105. gjimnastikor, -i == gymnastic (adj.)
  106. grup, -i, -e == a group
  107. hamburger, -i, -ë == a hamburger
  108. harmonik, -e == harmonic
  109. hero, -i, -nj == a hero
  110. hezitoj == to hesitate
  111. himn, -i, -e == a hymn
  112. historik, -e == historical
  113. holl, -i, -e == a hall
  114. hotel, -i, -e == a hotel
  115. identifikim, -i, -e == an identification
  116. ikonografik, -e == iconographic
  117. imejl == email (also postë elektronike, email or e-mail)
  118. inauguroj == inaugurate
  119. individual, -e == individual (adj.)
  120. industri, -a, -a == an industry
  121. infeksion, -i, -e == an infection
  122. informativ, -e == informative
  123. instrument, -i, -e == an instrument
  124. intensivisht == intensively
  125. intergritet == integrity
  126. interes, -i, -a == an interest
  127. internet, -i == the Internet
  128. interpretim, -i, -e == an interpretation
  129. interpretoj == to interpret
  130. Itali, -a == Italy
  131. italian, -e == Italian (adj.)
  132. italian, -i, -ë == Italian (nationality
  133. itinerar, -i, -e == an itinerary
  134. janar, -i == January
  135. ju == you
  136. kamp, -i, -e == a a camp
  137. katalog, -u, -ë == a catalogue
  138. katastrofë, -a, -a == a catastrophe
  139. kategori, -a, - == a category
  140. kështjellë, -a, -a == a castle, fortress
  141. kilogram, -i, -ë == a kilogram
  142. kilometër, -ri, -ra == a kilometer
  143. kivi == a kiwi (fruit)
  144. kler, -i, -e == a clergy
  145. klinikë, -a, -a == a clinic
  146. klon, -i, -e == a clone
  147. klub, -i, -e == a club
  148. koment, -i, -e == a comment
  149. komunal, -e == communal
  150. kopjoj == to copy
  151. kolesterol, -i == a cholesterol
  152. kombinim, -i, -e == a combination
  153. kompani, -a, - == a company
  154. kompjuter, -i, -a == a computer
  155. kompresë, -a, -a == a compress
  156. komunitet, -i, -e == a community
  157. konferencë, -a, -a == a conference
  158. konfirmoj == to confirm
  159. konfuzion, -i, -e == a confusion
  160. konfirmim, -i, -e == a confirmation
  161. kongres, -i, -e == a congress
  162. konsideroj == to consider
  163. konsull, -lli, -j == a consul
  164. konsumoj == to consume
  165. kontaktoj == to contact
  166. kontrolloj == to control, inspect, examine
  167. kontroll, -i, -e == a control, check
  168. kopje, -a, -e == a copy
  169. korrigjoj == to correct
  170. krap, -i, krep == a carp
  171. krim, -i, -e == a crime
  172. kult, -i, -e == a cult
  173. kupë, -a, -a == a cup
  174. letër, -ra, -ra == a letter, a card
  175. lider == a leader
  176. litër, -ri, -ra == a liter
  177. magnet == a magnet
  178. marshoj == to march
  179. material, -i, -e == material
  180. menaxher, -i, -ë == a manager
  181. madhësti, -a == majesty, grandiosity
  182. menaxhoj == to manage
  183. meritoj == to merit
  184. mineral == mineral
  185. ministër, -ri, -ra = a minister
  186. Ministri, -a, - == a ministry
  187. mister, -i, -e == a mystery
  188. model, -i, -e == a model
  189. modern, -e == modern
  190. moment, -i, -e == a moment
  191. monument, -i, -e == a monument
  192. mozaik, -i, -ë == a mosaic
  193. muzikë, -a == music
  194. oksigjen, -i, -e == oxygen
  195. opinion, -i, -e == an opinion (also mendim)
  196. opozitë, -a, -a == an opposition
  197. pako, -ja, - == a pack, packet, parcel
  198. parlament, -i, -e == a parliament
  199. park, -ku, -qe == a park
  200. patriotik, -e == patriotic
  201. periudhë, -a, -a == a period
  202. ping-pong == ping-pong, table tennis
  203. piper, -i == pepper (table spice)
  204. pjek == to bake
  205. plan, -i, -e == a plan
  206. planet, -i, -e == a planet
  207. poet, -i, -ë == a poet
  208. polifoni, -a, - == a polyphony
  209. populist, -e == populist
  210. popullor, -e == popular
  211. porcelan, -i == porcelain
  212. postë, -a, -a == mail, post office post
  213. prill, -i == April
  214. proces, -i, -e == a process
  215. puloverë, -a, -a == a pullover, a sweater
  216. qendër, -a, -a == a center
  217. radio, -ja, - == a radio
  218. recital, -i, -e == a recital
  219. restorant, -i, -e == a restaurant
  220. reumatizëm, -mi, -ma == rheumatism
  221. rezervë, -a, -a == a reserve
  222. i,e saktë == exact
  223. sandale == sandals
  224. sanduiç, -i, -ë == a sandwich
  225. sekret, -i, -e == a secret
  226. sekretar, -i, -ë == a secretary
  227. sekt, -i, -e == a sect
  228. semestër, -ri, -ra == a semester
  229. seminar, -i, -e == a seminar
  230. sezon, -i, -e == a season
  231. shkollë, -a, -a == a school
  232. shtet, -i, -e == a state, country
  233. simbolik, -e == symbolic, very cheap
  234. simptomë, -a, -a == a symptom
  235. sinjal, -i, -e == a signal
  236. i,e sinqertë == sincere
  237. situatë, -a, -a == a situation, condition
  238. skemë, -a, -a == a scheme
  239. social, -e == social
  240. solemn, -e == solemn, gala
  241. specifikë, -a, -a == a specific feature
  242. spektakël, -li, -le == a spectacle
  243. spektator, -i, -ë == a spectator
  244. spinaq, -i == spinach
  245. spital, -i, -e == a hospital
  246. sporadik, -e == sporadic
  247. statut, -i, -e == a statute
  248. sukses, -i, -e == success
  249. stomak, -u, -ë == a stomach
  250. stres, -i == stress
  251. studioj == to study
  252. taksi, -a, - == a taxi
  253. tekst, -i, -e == a text
  254. telefon, -i, -a == a telephone
  255. telefon celular == a cell phone
  256. tempull, -lli, -j == a temple
  257. terapi == a therapy
  258. terror, -i, -e == a terror
  259. torturë, -a, -a == torture
  260. trajtim, -i, -e == a treatment
  261. transferim, -i, -e == a transfer
  262. turist, -i, -ë == a tourist
  263. turistik, -e == touristic
  264. unik, -e == unique
  265. vaksinë, -a, -a == a vaccine
  266. vanilje, -a == vanilla
  267. variant, -i, -e == a variant, variation
  268. vëllim, -i, -e == volume
  269. vitaminë, -a, -a == a vitamin
  270. vizitoj == to visit
  271. volejboll, -i == volleyball
  272. votë, -a, -a == a vote
  273. votim, -i, -e == a voting
  274. xhaketë, -a, -a == a jacket
  275. xhinse == jeans, denim
  276. zero == zero
  277. 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.