Learning Albanian

Revision as of 09:00, 17 September 2018 by Jukeboksi (talk | contribs) (→‎Loan words for English speakers: + formal, -e == formal)

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. abuzim, -i, -e == an abuse
  2. abuzoj == to abuse
  3. administrativ, -e == administrative
  4. admirim, -i == admiration
  5. aeroplan, -i, -ë == an airplane
  6. aeroport, -i, -e == an airport
  7. akademi, -a, - == an academy
  8. aksident, -i, -e == an accident
  9. aktiv, -e == active
  10. aktivitet, -i, -e == an activity
  11. aktor, -i, -ë == an actor
  12. aleancë, -a, -a == an alliance
  13. ambasador, -i, -ë == an ambassador
  14. amerikan, -i, -ë == an American
  15. amfiteatër, -ri, -ro == an amphitheater
  16. antik, -e == antique
  17. antikitet, -i == antiquity
  18. antologji == an anthology
  19. apartament, -i, -e == an apartment
  20. arkeolog, -u, -ë == an archaeologist
  21. arkeologjik, -e == archaeological
  22. arkitekturor, -e == architectural
  23. aromë, -a, -a == an aroma
  24. arrestim, -i, -e == an arrest
  25. arrestoj == to arrest
  26. arrogant, -e == arrogant
  27. artikull, -lli, -j == an article
  28. artist, -i, -ë == an artist
  29. artistik, -e == artistic
  30. atmosferë, -a, -a == an atmosphere
  31. audiencë, -a, -a == an audience
  32. autoritarist, -e == authoritarian
  33. autoritet, -i, -ë == an authority
  34. balet, -i, -e == a ballet
  35. banane, -ia, -e == a banana
  36. bankë, -a, -a == a bank
  37. banknotë, -a, -a == a banknote
  38. basketboll, -i == basketball
  39. basketbollist, -i, -ë == a baskeball player
  40. bazë, -ë, -a == a base
  41. blu == blue
  42. bojkot, -i, -e == a boycott
  43. botanik, -e == botanical
  44. brokoli == broccoli
  45. bunker, -i, -ë == a bunker
  46. celular, -e == cellular
  47. ceremoni, -a, - == a ceremony
  48. çek, -ku, -qe == a check (payment instrument)
  49. datë, -a, -a == a date (time)
  50. datoj == to date (time)
  51. debat, -i, -e == a debate
  52. dekade, -ë, -a == a decade
  53. deklaroj == to declare
  54. dentar, -e == dental
  55. dentist, -i, -ë == a dentist
  56. derë, -a, dyer == a door
  57. desertor, -i ,-ë == a deserter
  58. deshirë, -a, -a == a desire
  59. deshiroj == to desire
  60. dialekt, -i, -e == a dialect
  61. dietë, -a, -a == a diet
  62. diplomat, -i, -ë == a diplomat
  63. diskutim, -i, -e == a discussion
  64. diskutoj == to discuss
  65. dixhital == digital
  66. dizanoj == to design
  67. dokument, -i, -e == a document
  68. dokumentar, -i, -ë == a documentary
  69. domate, -ja, -e == a tomato
  70. dominoj == to dominate
  71. editorial, -i, -e == an editorial
  72. edukatë, -a == an education
  73. egoist, -i, -ë == an egoist
  74. ekonomi, -a == economics
  75. ekonomik, -e == economical
  76. ekonomist, -i, -ë == an economist
  77. ekskursion, -i, -e == an excursion
  78. ekzekutues, -e == executive
  79. elegant, -e == elegant
  80. elektricitet, -i == electricity
  81. elektronik, -e == electronic
  82. elitë, -a, -a == an elite
  83. estetik, -e == aesthetic
  84. i famshëm, e famshme == famous
  85. fazë, -a, -a == a phase
  86. firmë, -a, -a == a firm (business)
  87. fakt, -i, -e == a fact
  88. fanellë, -a, -a == a flannel shirt, undershirt
  89. i favorishëm, e -me == favourable
  90. federal, -e == federal
  91. fenomen, -i, -e == a phenomenon
  92. festival, -i, -e == a festival
  93. fibër, -ra, -ra == a fiber
  94. filëte, -a, -a == a fillet
  95. film, -i, -a == a film
  96. financier, -i, -ë == a finacier
  97. formal, -e == formal
  98. formë, -a, -a == a form, shape (paper or digital form is formular)
  99. formoj == to form
  100. fotogjenik, -e == photogenic
  101. fotografi, -a, - == a photograph
  102. frutë, -a, -a == a fruit
  103. furnizim, -i, -e == furnishing, supplies
  104. futboll, -i == football (soccer)
  105. galeri, -a, - == a gallery
  106. gest, -i, -e == a gesture
  107. gjerman, -i, -ë == German (nationality)
  108. gjerman, -e == German (adj.)
  109. global, -e == global
  110. glob, -i, -e == a globe
  111. gradë, -a, -a == a grade, quality
  112. gjimnastikor, -i == gymnastic (adj.)
  113. grup, -i, -e == a group
  114. hamburger, -i, -ë == a hamburger
  115. harmonik, -e == harmonic
  116. hero, -i, -nj == a hero
  117. hezitoj == to hesitate
  118. hibrid, -e == hybrid
  119. himn, -i, -e == a hymn
  120. historik, -e == historical
  121. holl, -i, -e == a hall
  122. hotel, -i, -e == a hotel
  123. identifikim, -i, -e == an identification
  124. ikonografik, -e == iconographic
  125. imejl == email (also postë elektronike, email or e-mail)
  126. inauguroj == inaugurate
  127. individual, -e == individual (adj.)
  128. industri, -a, -a == an industry
  129. infeksion, -i, -e == an infection
  130. informativ, -e == informative
  131. instrument, -i, -e == an instrument
  132. intensivisht == intensively
  133. intergritet == integrity
  134. interes, -i, -a == an interest
  135. internet, -i == the Internet
  136. interpretim, -i, -e == an interpretation
  137. interpretoj == to interpret
  138. Itali, -a == Italy
  139. italian, -e == Italian (adj.)
  140. italian, -i, -ë == Italian (nationality
  141. itinerar, -i, -e == an itinerary
  142. janar, -i == January
  143. ju == you
  144. kamp, -i, -e == a a camp
  145. katalog, -u, -ë == a catalogue
  146. katastrofë, -a, -a == a catastrophe
  147. kategori, -a, - == a category
  148. kështjellë, -a, -a == a castle, fortress
  149. kilogram, -i, -ë == a kilogram
  150. kilometër, -ri, -ra == a kilometer
  151. kivi == a kiwi (fruit)
  152. kler, -i, -e == a clergy
  153. klinikë, -a, -a == a clinic
  154. klon, -i, -e == a clone
  155. klub, -i, -e == a club
  156. koment, -i, -e == a comment
  157. komunal, -e == communal
  158. konsensual, -e == consensual
  159. kopjoj == to copy
  160. kolesterol, -i == a cholesterol
  161. kombinim, -i, -e == a combination
  162. kompani, -a, - == a company
  163. kompjuter, -i, -a == a computer
  164. kompresë, -a, -a == a compress
  165. komunitet, -i, -e == a community
  166. konferencë, -a, -a == a conference
  167. konfirmoj == to confirm
  168. konfuzion, -i, -e == a confusion
  169. konfirmim, -i, -e == a confirmation
  170. kongres, -i, -e == a congress
  171. konsideroj == to consider
  172. konsull, -lli, -j == a consul
  173. konsumoj == to consume
  174. kontaktoj == to contact
  175. kontrolloj == to control, inspect, examine
  176. kontroll, -i, -e == a control, check
  177. kopje, -a, -e == a copy
  178. korrigjoj == to correct
  179. korrupsion, -i, -e == a corruption
  180. krap, -i, krep == a carp
  181. krim, -i, -e == a crime
  182. kult, -i, -e == a cult
  183. kupë, -a, -a == a cup
  184. letër, -ra, -ra == a letter, a card
  185. lider == a leader
  186. litër, -ri, -ra == a liter
  187. magnet == a magnet
  188. marshoj == to march
  189. material, -i, -e == material
  190. menaxher, -i, -ë == a manager
  191. madhësti, -a == majesty, grandiosity
  192. marksist, -e == marxist
  193. menaxhoj == to manage
  194. mentalitet, -i, -e == a mentality
  195. meritoj == to merit
  196. mineral == mineral
  197. ministër, -ri, -ra = a minister
  198. Ministri, -a, - == a ministry
  199. mister, -i, -e == a mystery
  200. model, -i, -e == a model
  201. modern, -e == modern
  202. moment, -i, -e == a moment
  203. monument, -i, -e == a monument
  204. mozaik, -i, -ë == a mosaic
  205. muzikë, -a == music
  206. oksigjen, -i, -e == oxygen
  207. opinion, -i, -e == an opinion (also mendim)
  208. opozitë, -a, -a == an opposition
  209. pako, -ja, - == a pack, packet, parcel
  210. parlament, -i, -e == a parliament
  211. park, -ku, -qe == a park
  212. parti, -a, -të == a party (political)
  213. patriotik, -e == patriotic
  214. periudhë, -a, -a == a period
  215. ping-pong == ping-pong, table tennis
  216. piper, -i == pepper (table spice)
  217. pjek == to bake
  218. plan, -i, -e == a plan
  219. planet, -i, -e == a planet
  220. pluralizëm, -mi == a pluralism
  221. poet, -i, -ë == a poet
  222. polifoni, -a, - == a polyphony
  223. populist, -e == populist
  224. popullor, -e == popular
  225. porcelan, -i == porcelain
  226. postë, -a, -a == mail, post office post
  227. prill, -i == April
  228. proces, -i, -e == a process
  229. puloverë, -a, -a == a pullover, a sweater
  230. qendër, -a, -a == a center
  231. radio, -ja, - == a radio
  232. recital, -i, -e == a recital
  233. restorant, -i, -e == a restaurant
  234. reumatizëm, -mi, -ma == rheumatism
  235. rezervë, -a, -a == a reserve
  236. i,e saktë == exact
  237. sandale == sandals
  238. sanduiç, -i, -ë == a sandwich
  239. sekret, -i, -e == a secret
  240. sekretar, -i, -ë == a secretary
  241. sekt, -i, -e == a sect
  242. semestër, -ri, -ra == a semester
  243. seminar, -i, -e == a seminar
  244. sezon, -i, -e == a season
  245. shkollë, -a, -a == a school
  246. shtet, -i, -e == a state, country
  247. simbolik, -e == symbolic, very cheap
  248. simptomë, -a, -a == a symptom
  249. sinjal, -i, -e == a signal
  250. i,e sinqertë == sincere
  251. situatë, -a, -a == a situation, condition
  252. skemë, -a, -a == a scheme
  253. social, -e == social
  254. solemn, -e == solemn, gala
  255. specifikë, -a, -a == a specific feature
  256. spektakël, -li, -le == a spectacle
  257. spektator, -i, -ë == a spectator
  258. spinaq, -i == spinach
  259. spital, -i, -e == a hospital
  260. sporadik, -e == sporadic
  261. statut, -i, -e == a statute
  262. sukses, -i, -e == success
  263. stomak, -u, -ë == a stomach
  264. stres, -i == stress
  265. studioj == to study
  266. taksi, -a, - == a taxi
  267. tekst, -i, -e == a text
  268. telefon, -i, -a == a telephone
  269. telefon celular == a cell phone
  270. tempull, -lli, -j == a temple
  271. terapi == a therapy
  272. terror, -i, -e == a terror
  273. totalitar, -e == totalitarian
  274. torturë, -a, -a == torture
  275. trajtim, -i, -e == a treatment
  276. transferim, -i, -e == a transfer
  277. turist, -i, -ë == a tourist
  278. turistik, -e == touristic
  279. unik, -e == unique
  280. vaksinë, -a, -a == a vaccine
  281. vanilje, -a == vanilla
  282. variant, -i, -e == a variant, variation
  283. vëllim, -i, -e == volume
  284. vitaminë, -a, -a == a vitamin
  285. vizitoj == to visit
  286. volejboll, -i == volleyball
  287. votë, -a, -a == a vote
  288. votim, -i, -e == a voting
  289. xhaketë, -a, -a == a jacket
  290. xhinse == jeans, denim
  291. zero == zero
  292. 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.