Learning Albanian

Revision as of 09:06, 17 September 2018 by Jukeboksi (talk | contribs) (→‎Loan words for English speakers: + karrierë, -ë, -a == a career)

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. karrierë, -ë, -a == a career
  146. katalog, -u, -ë == a catalogue
  147. katastrofë, -a, -a == a catastrophe
  148. kategori, -a, - == a category
  149. kështjellë, -a, -a == a castle, fortress
  150. kilogram, -i, -ë == a kilogram
  151. kilometër, -ri, -ra == a kilometer
  152. kivi == a kiwi (fruit)
  153. kler, -i, -e == a clergy
  154. klinikë, -a, -a == a clinic
  155. klon, -i, -e == a clone
  156. klub, -i, -e == a club
  157. koment, -i, -e == a comment
  158. komunal, -e == communal
  159. konsensual, -e == consensual
  160. kopjoj == to copy
  161. kolesterol, -i == a cholesterol
  162. kombinim, -i, -e == a combination
  163. kompani, -a, - == a company
  164. kompjuter, -i, -a == a computer
  165. kompresë, -a, -a == a compress
  166. komunitet, -i, -e == a community
  167. konferencë, -a, -a == a conference
  168. konfirmoj == to confirm
  169. konfuzion, -i, -e == a confusion
  170. konfirmim, -i, -e == a confirmation
  171. kongres, -i, -e == a congress
  172. konsideroj == to consider
  173. konsull, -lli, -j == a consul
  174. konsumoj == to consume
  175. kontaktoj == to contact
  176. kontrolloj == to control, inspect, examine
  177. kontroll, -i, -e == a control, check
  178. kopje, -a, -e == a copy
  179. korrigjoj == to correct
  180. korrupsion, -i, -e == a corruption
  181. krap, -i, krep == a carp
  182. krim, -i, -e == a crime
  183. kritikë, -a, -a == a critique
  184. kritikoj == to critisize
  185. kult, -i, -e == a cult
  186. kupë, -a, -a == a cup
  187. letër, -ra, -ra == a letter, a card
  188. lider == a leader
  189. litër, -ri, -ra == a liter
  190. magnet == a magnet
  191. marshoj == to march
  192. material, -i, -e == material
  193. menaxher, -i, -ë == a manager
  194. madhësti, -a == majesty, grandiosity
  195. marksist, -e == marxist
  196. menaxhoj == to manage
  197. mentalitet, -i, -e == a mentality
  198. meritoj == to merit
  199. mineral == mineral
  200. ministër, -ri, -ra = a minister
  201. Ministri, -a, - == a ministry
  202. mister, -i, -e == a mystery
  203. model, -i, -e == a model
  204. modern, -e == modern
  205. moment, -i, -e == a moment
  206. monument, -i, -e == a monument
  207. mozaik, -i, -ë == a mosaic
  208. muzikë, -a == music
  209. oksigjen, -i, -e == oxygen
  210. opinion, -i, -e == an opinion (also mendim)
  211. opozitë, -a, -a == an opposition
  212. pako, -ja, - == a pack, packet, parcel
  213. parlament, -i, -e == a parliament
  214. park, -ku, -qe == a park
  215. parti, -a, -të == a party (political)
  216. patriotik, -e == patriotic
  217. periferi, -a, -të == a periphery
  218. periudhë, -a, -a == a period
  219. ping-pong == ping-pong, table tennis
  220. piper, -i == pepper (table spice)
  221. pjek == to bake
  222. plan, -i, -e == a plan
  223. planet, -i, -e == a planet
  224. pluralizëm, -mi == a pluralism
  225. poet, -i, -ë == a poet
  226. polifoni, -a, - == a polyphony
  227. populist, -e == populist
  228. popullor, -e == popular
  229. porcelan, -i == porcelain
  230. postë, -a, -a == mail, post office post
  231. prill, -i == April
  232. proces, -i, -e == a process
  233. puloverë, -a, -a == a pullover, a sweater
  234. qendër, -a, -a == a center
  235. radio, -ja, - == a radio
  236. recital, -i, -e == a recital
  237. restorant, -i, -e == a restaurant
  238. reumatizëm, -mi, -ma == rheumatism
  239. rezervë, -a, -a == a reserve
  240. i,e saktë == exact
  241. sandale == sandals
  242. sanduiç, -i, -ë == a sandwich
  243. sekret, -i, -e == a secret
  244. sekretar, -i, -ë == a secretary
  245. sekt, -i, -e == a sect
  246. semestër, -ri, -ra == a semester
  247. seminar, -i, -e == a seminar
  248. sezon, -i, -e == a season
  249. shkollë, -a, -a == a school
  250. shtet, -i, -e == a state, country
  251. simbolik, -e == symbolic, very cheap
  252. simptomë, -a, -a == a symptom
  253. sinjal, -i, -e == a signal
  254. i,e sinqertë == sincere
  255. situatë, -a, -a == a situation, condition
  256. skemë, -a, -a == a scheme
  257. social, -e == social
  258. solemn, -e == solemn, gala
  259. specifikë, -a, -a == a specific feature
  260. spektakël, -li, -le == a spectacle
  261. spektator, -i, -ë == a spectator
  262. spinaq, -i == spinach
  263. spital, -i, -e == a hospital
  264. sporadik, -e == sporadic
  265. statut, -i, -e == a statute
  266. sukses, -i, -e == success
  267. stomak, -u, -ë == a stomach
  268. stres, -i == stress
  269. studioj == to study
  270. taksi, -a, - == a taxi
  271. tekst, -i, -e == a text
  272. telefon, -i, -a == a telephone
  273. telefon celular == a cell phone
  274. tempull, -lli, -j == a temple
  275. terapi == a therapy
  276. terror, -i, -e == a terror
  277. totalitar, -e == totalitarian
  278. torturë, -a, -a == torture
  279. trajtim, -i, -e == a treatment
  280. transferim, -i, -e == a transfer
  281. turist, -i, -ë == a tourist
  282. turistik, -e == touristic
  283. unik, -e == unique
  284. vaksinë, -a, -a == a vaccine
  285. vanilje, -a == vanilla
  286. variant, -i, -e == a variant, variation
  287. vëllim, -i, -e == volume
  288. vitaminë, -a, -a == a vitamin
  289. vizitoj == to visit
  290. volejboll, -i == volleyball
  291. votë, -a, -a == a vote
  292. votim, -i, -e == a voting
  293. xhaketë, -a, -a == a jacket
  294. xhinse == jeans, denim
  295. zero == zero
  296. 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.