Learning Albanian

Revision as of 08:15, 21 September 2018 by Jukeboksi (talk | contribs) (→‎Loan words for English speakers: + rezolutë, -a, -a == a resolution)

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. prokuror, -i, -ë == un procureur == a prosecutor
  109. prozë, -a, -a == une prose == a prose
  110. pulë, -a, -a == un poulet == a chicken
  111. qershi, -a, - == une cerise == a cherry
  112. qiell, -lli, -j == le ciel == the sky.
  113. recepsioniste, -ja, -e == une réceptionniste == a receptionist (fem.)
  114. rezultat, -i, -e == un résultat == a result
  115. rigon, -i == origan == oregano
  116. rol, -i, -e == un rôle == a role
  117. roman, -i, -e == un roman == a novel
  118. sallë, -a, -a == une salle == lobby, auditorium, room
  119. sandale, -ja, -e == une sandale == a sandal
  120. seri, -a, - == une série == a series
  121. shans, -i, -e == une chance == a chance
  122. shef, -i, -a == le chef == a chef, a chief, a boss
  123. shifër, -ra, -ra == un chiffre == a figure, cipher
  124. shofer, -i, -ë == un chauffeur == a driver
  125. shurup, -i, -e == un sirop == a syrup
  126. sistem, -i, -ë == un système == a system
  127. strateg, -u, -ë == un stratège == a strategist
  128. strategjik, -e == stratégique == strategic
  129. studio, -ja, - == un studio == a studio
  130. supë, -a, -a == une soupe == a soup
  131. suvenir, -i, -e == un souvenir == a souvenir
  132. tabelë, -a, -a == une table == (black)board
  133. tarracë, -a, -a == une terrasse == a terrace
  134. teatër, -ri, -ro - un théâtre - a theatre
  135. teatralë, -e == théâtral == theatrical
  136. teknik, -e == technique == technical
  137. teknologji, -a, - == une technologie == a technology
  138. temperaturë, -a, -a == une température == a temperature
  139. transfertë, -a, -a == un transfert == a transfer, transaction
  140. i,e trishtuar - triste - sad
  141. temë, -a, -a == un thème == a theme, topic
  142. tension, -i == une tension (artérielle) == blood pressure
  143. traditë, -a, -a == une tradition == a tradition
  144. trupë, -a, -a == une troupe == a troupe, company, band
  145. universitet, -i, -e == une université == an university
  146. valixhe, -ja, -e == une valise == a suitcase, baggage
  147. vegjetal, -e == végétal == vegetable (adj.)
  148. verandë, -a, -a == une véranda == a terrace, veranda
  149. vitrinë, -a, -a == une vitrine == a shop window
  150. vizë, -a, -a == un visa == a visa
  151. vizitë, -a, -a == une visite == a visit
  152. vizitor, -i, -ë == un visiteur == a visitor
  153. 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. aspiratë, -a, -a == an aspiration
  31. atmosferë, -a, -a == an atmosphere
  32. audiencë, -a, -a == an audience
  33. autoritarist, -e == authoritarian
  34. autoritet, -i, -ë == an authority
  35. balet, -i, -e == a ballet
  36. banane, -ia, -e == a banana
  37. bankë, -a, -a == a bank
  38. banknotë, -a, -a == a banknote
  39. basketboll, -i == basketball
  40. basketbollist, -i, -ë == a baskeball player
  41. bazë, -ë, -a == a base
  42. bllokoj == to block
  43. blu == blue
  44. bojkot, -i, -e == a boycott
  45. botanik, -e == botanical
  46. brokoli == broccoli
  47. bunker, -i, -ë == a bunker
  48. celular, -e == cellular
  49. ceremoni, -a, - == a ceremony
  50. çek, -ku, -qe == a check (payment instrument)
  51. datë, -a, -a == a date (time)
  52. datoj == to date (time)
  53. debat, -i, -e == a debate
  54. dekade, -ë, -a == a decade
  55. deklaroj == to declare
  56. dentar, -e == dental
  57. dentist, -i, -ë == a dentist
  58. derë, -a, dyer == a door
  59. desertor, -i ,-ë == a deserter
  60. deshirë, -a, -a == a desire
  61. deshiroj == to desire
  62. dialekt, -i, -e == a dialect
  63. dietë, -a, -a == a diet
  64. diplomat, -i, -ë == a diplomat
  65. diskutim, -i, -e == a discussion
  66. diskutoj == to discuss
  67. distancë, -a, -a == a distance
  68. dixhital == digital
  69. dizanoj == to design
  70. dokument, -i, -e == a document
  71. dokumentar, -i, -ë == a documentary
  72. domate, -ja, -e == a tomato
  73. dominoj == to dominate
  74. editorial, -i, -e == an editorial
  75. edukatë, -a == an education
  76. egoist, -i, -ë == an egoist
  77. ekonomi, -a == economics
  78. ekonomik, -e == economical
  79. ekonomist, -i, -ë == an economist
  80. ekselencë, -a, -a == an excellence
  81. ekskursion, -i, -e == an excursion
  82. ekzekutues, -e == executive
  83. elegant, -e == elegant
  84. elektricitet, -i == electricity
  85. elektronik, -e == electronic
  86. elitë, -a, -a == an elite
  87. emigrim, -i, -e == an emigration
  88. estetik, -e == aesthetic
  89. i famshëm, e famshme == famous
  90. fazë, -a, -a == a phase
  91. firmë, -a, -a == a firm (business)
  92. fakt, -i, -e == a fact
  93. fanellë, -a, -a == a flannel shirt, undershirt
  94. i favorishëm, e -me == favourable
  95. federal, -e == federal
  96. fenomen, -i, -e == a phenomenon
  97. festival, -i, -e == a festival
  98. fibër, -ra, -ra == a fiber
  99. filëte, -a, -a == a fillet
  100. film, -i, -a == a film
  101. financier, -i, -ë == a finacier
  102. formal, -e == formal
  103. formë, -a, -a == a form, shape (paper or digital form is formular)
  104. formoj == to form
  105. fotogjenik, -e == photogenic
  106. fotografi, -a, - == a photograph
  107. frutë, -a, -a == a fruit
  108. furnizim, -i, -e == furnishing, supplies
  109. futboll, -i == football (soccer)
  110. galeri, -a, - == a gallery
  111. gest, -i, -e == a gesture
  112. gjerman, -i, -ë == German (nationality)
  113. gjerman, -e == German (adj.)
  114. global, -e == global
  115. glob, -i, -e == a globe
  116. gradë, -a, -a == a grade, quality
  117. gjimnastikor, -i == gymnastic (adj.)
  118. grup, -i, -e == a group
  119. hamburger, -i, -ë == a hamburger
  120. harmonik, -e == harmonic
  121. hero, -i, -nj == a hero
  122. hezitoj == to hesitate
  123. hibrid, -e == hybrid
  124. himn, -i, -e == a hymn
  125. historik, -e == historical
  126. holl, -i, -e == a hall
  127. hotel, -i, -e == a hotel
  128. identifikim, -i, -e == an identification
  129. ikonografik, -e == iconographic
  130. imejl == email (also postë elektronike, email or e-mail)
  131. imponoj == to impose
  132. inauguroj == inaugurate
  133. individual, -e == individual (adj.)
  134. industri, -a, -a == an industry
  135. infeksion, -i, -e == an infection
  136. informativ, -e == informative
  137. inspiroj == to inspire
  138. instrument, -i, -e == an instrument
  139. intensivisht == intensively
  140. intergritet == integrity
  141. interes, -i, -a == an interest
  142. internet, -i == the Internet
  143. interpretim, -i, -e == an interpretation
  144. interpretoj == to interpret
  145. Itali, -a == Italy
  146. italian, -e == Italian (adj.)
  147. italian, -i, -ë == Italian (nationality
  148. itinerar, -i, -e == an itinerary
  149. janar, -i == January
  150. ju == you
  151. kamp, -i, -e == a a camp
  152. karrierë, -ë, -a == a career
  153. katalog, -u, -ë == a catalogue
  154. katastrofë, -a, -a == a catastrophe
  155. kategori, -a, - == a category
  156. kazino, -ja, -të == a casino
  157. kështjellë, -a, -a == a castle, fortress
  158. kilogram, -i, -ë == a kilogram
  159. kilometër, -ri, -ra == a kilometer
  160. kivi == a kiwi (fruit)
  161. kler, -i, -e == a clergy
  162. klinikë, -a, -a == a clinic
  163. klon, -i, -e == a clone
  164. klub, -i, -e == a club
  165. koment, -i, -e == a comment
  166. komunal, -e == communal
  167. konsensual, -e == consensual
  168. kopjoj == to copy
  169. kolesterol, -i == a cholesterol
  170. kombinim, -i, -e == a combination
  171. kompani, -a, - == a company
  172. kompjuter, -i, -a == a computer
  173. kompresë, -a, -a == a compress
  174. komunitet, -i, -e == a community
  175. konferencë, -a, -a == a conference
  176. konfirmoj == to confirm
  177. konfuzion, -i, -e == a confusion
  178. konfirmim, -i, -e == a confirmation
  179. kongres, -i, -e == a congress
  180. konsideroj == to consider
  181. konsull, -lli, -j == a consul
  182. konsumoj == to consume
  183. kontaktoj == to contact
  184. kontrolloj == to control, inspect, examine
  185. kontroll, -i, -e == a control, check
  186. kopje, -a, -e == a copy
  187. korrigjoj == to correct
  188. korrupsion, -i, -e == a corruption
  189. krap, -i, krep == a carp
  190. krim, -i, -e == a crime
  191. kritikë, -a, -a == a critique
  192. kritikoj == to critisize
  193. kult, -i, -e == a cult
  194. kupë, -a, -a == a cup
  195. letër, -ra, -ra == a letter, a card
  196. lider == a leader
  197. litër, -ri, -ra == a liter
  198. magnet == a magnet
  199. marshoj == to march
  200. material, -i, -e == material
  201. menaxher, -i, -ë == a manager
  202. madhësti, -a == majesty, grandiosity
  203. marksist, -e == marxist
  204. menaxhoj == to manage
  205. mentalitet, -i, -e == a mentality
  206. meritoj == to merit
  207. militant, -e == militant
  208. mineral == mineral
  209. ministër, -ri, -ra = a minister
  210. Ministri, -a, - == a ministry
  211. mister, -i, -e == a mystery
  212. model, -i, -e == a model
  213. modern, -e == modern
  214. moment, -i, -e == a moment
  215. monument, -i, -e == a monument
  216. mozaik, -i, -ë == a mosaic
  217. muzikë, -a == music
  218. oksigjen, -i, -e == oxygen
  219. opinion, -i, -e == an opinion (also mendim)
  220. opozitë, -a, -a == an opposition
  221. pako, -ja, - == a pack, packet, parcel
  222. parlament, -i, -e == a parliament
  223. park, -ku, -qe == a park
  224. parti, -a, -të == a party (political)
  225. pasagjer, -i, -e == a passenger
  226. patriotik, -e == patriotic
  227. periferi, -a, -të == a periphery
  228. periudhë, -a, -a == a period
  229. ping-pong == ping-pong, table tennis
  230. piper, -i == pepper (table spice)
  231. piramidë, -ë, -a == a pyramid
  232. pjek == to bake
  233. plan, -i, -e == a plan
  234. planet, -i, -e == a planet
  235. pluralizëm, -mi == a pluralism
  236. poet, -i, -ë == a poet
  237. polifoni, -a, - == a polyphony
  238. populist, -e == populist
  239. popullor, -e == popular
  240. porcelan, -i == porcelain
  241. postë, -a, -a == mail, post office post
  242. potencial, -i, -e == a potential
  243. pragmatik, -e == pragmatic
  244. pragmatizëm, -mi, -ma == a pragmatism
  245. prill, -i == April
  246. proces, -i, -e == a process
  247. puloverë, -a, -a == a pullover, a sweater
  248. qendër, -a, -a == a center
  249. radio, -ja, - == a radio
  250. raport, -i, -e == a report
  251. recital, -i, -e == a recital
  252. restorant, -i, -e == a restaurant
  253. reumatizëm, -mi, -ma == rheumatism
  254. rezervë, -a, -a == a reserve
  255. rezolutë, -a, -a == a resolution
  256. i,e saktë == exact
  257. sandale == sandals
  258. sanduiç, -i, -ë == a sandwich
  259. sekret, -i, -e == a secret
  260. sekretar, -i, -ë == a secretary
  261. sekt, -i, -e == a sect
  262. semestër, -ri, -ra == a semester
  263. seminar, -i, -e == a seminar
  264. sezon, -i, -e == a season
  265. shkollë, -a, -a == a school
  266. shtet, -i, -e == a state, country
  267. simbolik, -e == symbolic, very cheap
  268. simptomë, -a, -a == a symptom
  269. sinjal, -i, -e == a signal
  270. i,e sinqertë == sincere
  271. situatë, -a, -a == a situation, condition
  272. skemë, -a, -a == a scheme
  273. social, -e == social
  274. solemn, -e == solemn, gala
  275. specifikë, -a, -a == a specific feature
  276. spektakël, -li, -le == a spectacle
  277. spektator, -i, -ë == a spectator
  278. spinaq, -i == spinach
  279. spital, -i, -e == a hospital
  280. sporadik, -e == sporadic
  281. statut, -i, -e == a statute
  282. sukses, -i, -e == success
  283. stomak, -u, -ë == a stomach
  284. stres, -i == stress
  285. studioj == to study
  286. taksi, -a, - == a taxi
  287. tekst, -i, -e == a text
  288. telefon, -i, -a == a telephone
  289. telefon celular == a cell phone
  290. tempull, -lli, -j == a temple
  291. terapi == a therapy
  292. terror, -i, -e == a terror
  293. totalitar, -e == totalitarian
  294. torturë, -a, -a == torture
  295. trajtim, -i, -e == a treatment
  296. transferim, -i, -e == a transfer
  297. turist, -i, -ë == a tourist
  298. turistik, -e == touristic
  299. unik, -e == unique
  300. vaksinë, -a, -a == a vaccine
  301. vanilje, -a == vanilla
  302. variant, -i, -e == a variant, variation
  303. vëllim, -i, -e == volume
  304. vitaminë, -a, -a == a vitamin
  305. vizitoj == to visit
  306. volejboll, -i == volleyball
  307. votë, -a, -a == a vote
  308. votim, -i, -e == a voting
  309. xhaketë, -a, -a == a jacket
  310. xhinse == jeans, denim
  311. zero == zero
  312. 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.