Learning Albanian

Revision as of 15:47, 16 February 2019 by Jukeboksi (talk | contribs) (→‎K: + kompetencë, -a, -a == a competence)

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

The forms given for adjectives are

  1. Masculine
  2. Feminine (always just add an 'e' to end)

The forms given for verbs are

  1. First person singular present indicative
  2. First person singular simple past
  3. Past participle

Loan words for English speakers

On Saturday 2018-11-17 I made a copy of this list of loan words for English speakers to Wikibooks:Albanian/Loan_words_for_English_speakers and in the future when I add words I will update both this article and the one at Wikibooks. In the long term the best solution would be to put the words into a database, such as Wikidata and to generate the lists automatically from the database. This way there would not be the problem that some words that could be classified under "English" are instead in French or Italian because the pronunciation matches better those langauges.

A

  1. abuzim, -i, -e == an abuse
  2. abuzoj == to abuse
  3. administrativ, -e == administrative
  4. admirim, -i == admiration
  5. adoleshent, -i, -ë == an adolescent
  6. aeroplan, -i, -ë == an airplane
  7. aeroport, -i, -e == an airport
  8. aerobik, -e == aerobic (adj.)
  9. akademi, -a, - == an academy
  10. aksident, -i, -e == an accident
  11. aktiv, -e == active
  12. aktivitet, -i, -e == an activity
  13. aktor, -i, -ë == an actor
  14. akuzoj == to accuse
  15. aleancë, -a, -a == an alliance
  16. amendament, -i, -e == an amendment
  17. ambasador, -i, -ë == an ambassador
  18. amerikan, -i, -ë == an American
  19. amfiteatër, -ri, -ro == an amphitheater
  20. amnion, -i, -e (?) == an amnion
  21. anemi, -a, -a == an anemia
  22. antik, -e == antique
  23. antikitet, -i == antiquity
  24. antologji == an anthology
  25. apartament, -i, -e == an apartment
  26. aplikacion, -i, -e == an application
  27. aplikoj, -ova, -uar == to apply
  28. arkeolog, -u, -ë == an archaeologist
  29. arkeologjik, -e == archaeological
  30. arkitekturor, -e == architectural
  31. aromë, -a, -a == an aroma
  32. arrestim, -i, -e == an arrest
  33. arrestoj == to arrest
  34. arrij == to arrive
  35. arrogant, -e == arrogant
  36. arterie, -a, -e == an artery
  37. artikull, -lli, -j == an article
  38. artist, -i, -ë == an artist
  39. artistik, -e == artistic
  40. aspiratë, -a, -a == an aspiration
  41. atom, -i, -e == an atom
  42. atmosferë, -a, -a == an atmosphere
  43. audiencë, -a, -a == an audience
  44. autoritarist, -e == authoritarian
  45. autoritet, -i, -ë == an authority

B

  1. bakter, -e, bakterie == bacterium
  2. balet, -i, -e == a ballet
  3. banane, -ia, -e == a banana
  4. bankë, -a, -a == a bank
  5. banknotë, -a, -a == a banknote
  6. barometër, -ri, -ra == a barometer
  7. basketboll, -i == basketball
  8. basketbollist, -i, -ë == a baskeball player
  9. bazë, -ë, -a == a base
  10. bilanc, -i, -e == a balance (business)
  11. biznesmen, -i, -ë == a businessman
  12. blasfemoj == to blaspheme
  13. bllokoj == to block
  14. blu == blue
  15. bojkot, -i, -e == a boycott
  16. botanik, -e == botanical
  17. brokoli == broccoli
  18. bunker, -i, -ë == a bunker

C

  1. celular, -e == cellular
  2. ceremoni, -a, - == a ceremony
  3. cikël, -li, -le == a cycle
  4. citoplazmë, -ë (?), -a == a cytoplasm

Ç

  1. çek, -ku, -qe == a check (payment instrument)

D

  1. datë, -a, -a == a date (time)
  2. datoj == to date (time)
  3. debat, -i, -e == a debate
  4. dekade, -ë, -a == a decade
  5. deklaroj == to declare
  6. dentar, -e == dental
  7. dentist, -i, -ë == a dentist
  8. derë, -a, dyer == a door
  9. desertor, -i ,-ë == a deserter
  10. deshirë, -a, -a == a desire
  11. deshiroj == to desire
  12. i,e detajuar == detailed
  13. dialekt, -i, -e == a dialect
  14. dietë, -a, -a == a diet
  15. diplomat, -i, -ë == a diplomat
  16. disidencë, -a, -a == dissidence
  17. disident, -i, -ë == a dissident
  18. diskutim, -i, -e == a discussion
  19. diskutoj == to discuss
  20. distancë, -a, -a == a distance
  21. dixhital == digital
  22. dizanoj == to design
  23. dokument, -i, -e == a document
  24. dokumentar, -i, -ë == a documentary
  25. domate, -ja, -e == a tomato
  26. dominoj == to dominate
  27. dozë, -a, -a == a dose

E

  1. editorial, -i, -e == an editorial
  2. edukatë, -a == an education
  3. efikasitet, -i, -e (?) == an efficacy
  4. egoist, -i, -ë == an egoist
  5. ekonomi, -a == economics
  6. ekonomik, -e == economical
  7. ekonomist, -i, -ë == an economist
  8. ekselencë, -a, -a == an excellence
  9. ekskursion, -i, -e == an excursion
  10. ekuilibër, -bri, -bri == an equilibrium
  11. ekzekutues, -e == executive
  12. elastik, -e == elastic
  13. elegant, -e == elegant
  14. elektricitet, -i == electricity
  15. elektronik, -e == electronic
  16. element, -i, -e == an element
  17. elitë, -a, -a == an elite
  18. embrion, -i, -e == an embryo
  19. emigrim, -i, -e == an emigration
  20. energji, -a, -të == an energy
  21. epidermë == an epidermis
  22. estetik, -e == aesthetic

F

  1. i famshëm, e famshme == famous
  2. favor, -i, -e == a favour
  3. fazë, -a, -a == a phase
  4. fakt, -i, -e == a fact
  5. fanellë, -a, -a == a flannel shirt, undershirt
  6. i favorishëm, e -me == favourable
  7. federal, -e == federal
  8. fenomen, -i, -e == a phenomenon
  9. festival, -i, -e == a festival
  10. fetus, -i, -e == a fetus
  11. fibër, -ra, -ra == a fiber
  12. filëte, -a, -a == a fillet
  13. film, -i, -a == a film
  14. finalizoj == to finalize
  15. financier, -i, -ë == a financier
  16. fiskal, -e == fiscal
  17. firmë, -a, -a == a firm (business)
  18. fleksibilitet, -i, -e (?) == a flexibility
  19. formal, -e == formal
  20. formë, -a, -a == a form, shape (paper or digital form is formular)
  21. formoj == to form
  22. fotogjenik, -e == photogenic
  23. fotografi, -a, - == a photograph
  24. fragmentoj == to fragment
  25. frutë, -a, -a == a fruit
  26. furnizim, -i, -e == furnishing, supplies
  27. furnizoj == to furnish
  28. futboll, -i == football (soccer)

G

  1. galeri, -a, - == a gallery
  2. gest, -i, -e == a gesture
  3. global, -e == global
  4. glob, -i, -e == a globe
  5. glukozë, -a, -a == glucose
  6. gradë, -a, -a == a grade, quality
  7. gradual, -e == gradual
  8. grup, -i, -e == a group
  9. guvernator, -i, -ë == a governor

Gj

  1. gjerman, -i, -ë == German (nationality)
  2. gjerman, -e == German (adj.)
  3. gjigant, -e == gigantic
  4. gjimnastikor, -i == gymnastic (adj.)

H

  1. hamburger, -i, -ë == a hamburger
  2. harmonik, -e == harmonic
  3. hemoglobinë, -a, -a == a hemoglobin
  4. heretik, -u, -ë == a heretic
  5. hero, -i, -nj == a hero
  6. hezitoj == to hesitate
  7. hibrid, -e == hybrid
  8. himn, -i, -e == a hymn
  9. historik, -e == historical
  10. holl, -i, -e == a hall
  11. hotel, -i, -e == a hotel

I

  1. identifikim, -i, -e == an identification
  2. ikonografik, -e == iconographic
  3. imejl == email (also postë elektronike, email or e-mail)
  4. implementim, -i, -e == an implementation
  5. imponoj == to impose
  6. inauguroj == inaugurate
  7. individual, -e == individual (adj.)
  8. industri, -a, -a == an industry
  9. infarkt, -i, -e == an infarct
  10. infeksion, -i, -e == an infection
  11. informativ, -e == informative
  12. infrastrukturë, -a, -a == an infrastructure
  13. insistoj == to insist
  14. inspiroj == to inspire
  15. integrim, -i, -e == an integration
  16. instrument, -i, -e == an instrument
  17. intensivisht == intensively
  18. intergritet == integrity
  19. interes, -i, -a == an interest
  20. internet, -i == the Internet
  21. interpretim, -i, -e == an interpretation
  22. interpretoj == to interpret
  23. Itali, -a == Italy
  24. italian, -e == Italian (adj.)
  25. italian, -i, -ë == Italian (nationality
  26. itinerar, -i, -e == an itinerary

J

  1. janar, -i == January
  2. ju == you

K

  1. kamp, -i, -e == a a camp
  2. kandidat, -i, -ë == a candidate
  3. kapacitet, -i, -e == a capacity
  4. kapilar, -, -ë == a capillary
  5. kapital, -i, -e (?) == a capital
  6. kaos, -i, -e == a chaos
  7. karbohidrat, -i, -e == a carbohydrate
  8. karbon, -i, -e == carbon
  9. karrierë, -ë, -a == a career
  10. katalog, -u, -ë == a catalogue
  11. katastrofë, -a, -a == a catastrophe
  12. kategori, -a, - == a category
  13. kazino, -ja, -të == a casino
  14. kështjellë, -a, -a == a castle, fortress
  15. kilogram, -i, -ë == a kilogram
  16. kilometër, -ri, -ra == a kilometer
  17. kitarist, -i, -ë == a guitarist
  18. kivi == a kiwi (fruit)
  19. klasifikim, -i, -e == a classification
  20. klasifikoj, -ova, -uar == to classify
  21. kler, -i, -e == a clergy
  22. klinikë, -a, -a == a clinic
  23. klon, -i, -e == a clone
  24. klorofil, -i, -ë == a chlorophyll
  25. klub, -i, -e == a club
  26. koleksion, -i, -e == a collection
  27. koleksonoj == to collect
  28. koloni, -a, - == a colony
  29. koment, -i, -e == a comment
  30. komision, -i, -e == a commission
  31. komunal, -e == communal
  32. koncesion, -i, -e == a concession
  33. konflikt, -i, -e == a conflict
  34. konkret, -e == concrete (adj.)
  35. konsensual, -e == consensual
  36. konsideratë, -a, -a == a consideration
  37. konspiroj == to conspire
  38. kopjoj == to copy
  39. kolesterol, -i == a cholesterol
  40. kombinim, -i, -e == a combination
  41. kompani, -a, - == a company
  42. kompetencë, -a, -a == a competence
  43. kompjuter, -i, -a == a computer
  44. kompresë, -a, -a == a compress
  45. komunitet, -i, -e == a community
  46. konferencë, -a, -a == a conference
  47. konfirmoj == to confirm
  48. konfuzion, -i, -e == a confusion
  49. konfirmim, -i, -e == a confirmation
  50. kongres, -i, -e == a congress
  51. konsideroj == to consider
  52. konsull, -lli, -j == a consul
  53. konsumohem == to be consumed
  54. konsumoj == to consume
  55. kontaktoj == to contact
  56. kontrolloj == to control, inspect, examine
  57. kontroll, -i, -e == a control, check
  58. kopje, -a, -e == a copy
  59. korrespondoj == to correspond
  60. korrigjoj == to correct
  61. korrupsion, -i, -e == a corruption
  62. kosto, -ja, - == a cost
  63. krap, -i, krep == a carp
  64. kreativitet, -i, -e == a creativity
  65. krijoj == to create
  66. krim, -i, -e == a crime
  67. kritikë, -a, -a == a critique
  68. kritikoj == to critisize
  69. kromozom, -i, -e == a chromosome
  70. kualifikoj == to qualify
  71. kulm, -i, -e == a culmination
  72. kult, -i, -e == a cult
  73. kupë, -a, -a == a cup
  74. kurs, -i, -e == a course (studying or exchange rate)
  75. kushtoj == to cost

L

  1. letër, -ra, -ra == a letter, a card
  2. lider == a leader
  3. lidership, -i, -e == a leadership
  4. litër, -ri, -ra == a liter

M

  1. madhësti, -a == majesty, grandiosity
  2. mafie, -a, -a == a mafia
  3. magnet == a magnet
  4. marshoj == to march
  5. maskoj == to mask, camouflage, disguise
  6. material, -i, -e == material
  7. medalje, -, - == a medal
  8. meditoj == to meditate
  9. membranë, -a, -a == a membrane
  10. menaxher, -i, -ë == a manager
  11. marksist, -e == marxist
  12. menaxhoj == to manage
  13. menstruacion, -i, -e == a menstruation
  14. mentalitet, -i, -e == a mentality
  15. meritoj == to merit
  16. mikro == micro
  17. militant, -e == militant
  18. mineral == mineral
  19. ministër, -ri, -ra = a minister
  20. Ministri, -a, - == a ministry
  21. mister, -i, -e == a mystery
  22. model, -i, -e == a model
  23. modern, -e == modern
  24. molekulë, -a, -a == a molecule
  25. moment, -i, -e == a moment
  26. monoksid, -i, -e == monoxide
  27. monument, -i, -e == a monument
  28. mozaik, -i, -ë == a mosaic
  29. multikulturor, -e == multicultural
  30. i multilateralizëm, e -me == multilateralism
  31. muskul, -i, -jt == a muscle
  32. muzikë, -a == music

N

  1. nacionalist, -e == nationalist (adj.)
  2. nacionalizëm, -zmi, -zma == nationalism
  3. nikotinë, -a, -a == a nicotine
  4. nostalgji, -a, -të == a nostalgy
  5. normalizim, -i, -e == normalization
  6. notar, -i, -ë == a notary
  7. numeroj == to number, numerate, count

O

  1. objekt, -i, -e == objects
  2. ofertë, -a, -a == an offer
  3. ofroj == to offer
  4. oksigjen, -i, -e == oxygen
  5. oksigjenoj == to oxygenate
  6. operë, -a, -a == an opera
  7. operoj, -ova, -uar == to operate
  8. opinion, -i, -e == an opinion (also mendim)
  9. opozitë, -a, -a == an opposition
  10. oral, -e == oral
  11. organ, -i, -e == an organ
  12. organizëm, -i, -a == an organism
  13. organizoj, -ova, -uar == to organize
  14. ortodoks, -e == Orthodox
  15. ovidukt, - (?), -e == an oviduct
  16. ovulacion, -i, -e == an ovulation

P

  1. pako, -ja, - == a pack, packet, parcel
  2. pankreas, -i, -e (?) == a pancreas
  3. parlament, -i, -e == a parliament
  4. park, -ku, -qe == a park
  5. parti, -a, -të == a party (political)
  6. pasagjer, -i, -e == a passenger
  7. pasion, -i, -e == a passion
  8. pasionant, -e == passionate
  9. patriotik, -e == patriotic
  10. pazar, -i, -e == a bazaar, a marketplace
  11. penis, -i, -e == a penis
  12. periferi, -a, -të == a periphery
  13. periudhë, -a, -a == a period
  14. person, -i, -a == a person
  15. pianiste, -ja, -e == a pianist
  16. ping-pong == ping-pong, table tennis
  17. piper, -i == pepper (table spice)
  18. piramidë, -ë, -a == a pyramid
  19. pjek == to bake
  20. placentë, -a, -a == a placenta
  21. plan, -i, -e == a plan
  22. planet, -i, -e == a planet
  23. planifikoj == to plan
  24. plazme, -a, -a == a plasma
  25. pluralizëm, -mi == a pluralism
  26. poet, -i, -ë == a poet
  27. polemikë, -a, -a == a polemic
  28. polifoni, -a, - == a polyphony
  29. populist, -e == populist
  30. popullsi, -a, popujt == a population
  31. popullor, -e == popular
  32. porcelan, -i == porcelain
  33. portret, -i, -e == a portret
  34. postë, -a, -a == mail, post office post
  35. potencial, -i, -e == a potential
  36. pragmatik, -e == pragmatic
  37. pragmatizëm, -mi, -ma == a pragmatism
  38. preferoj, -ova, -uar == to prefer
  39. i,e preferuar == preferred
  40. prestigjoz -e == prestigious
  41. prill, -i == April
  42. problem, -i, -e == a problem
  43. proces, -i, -e == a process
  44. prodhoj == to produce
  45. program, -i, -e == a program
  46. projekt, -i, -e == a project
  47. propozoj, -ova, -uar == to propose
  48. prostatë, -a, -e == a prostate
  49. proteine, -a, -a == a protein
  50. protestoj == to protest
  51. publik, -u == general public, audience
  52. publik, -e == public (adj.)
  53. puloverë, -a, -a == a pullover, a sweater
  54. puls, -i,- e == a pulse

Q

  1. qendër, -a, -a == a center

R

  1. radio, -ja, - == a radio
  2. raketë, -a, -a == a rocket
  3. raport, -i, -e == a report
  4. raportoj, -ova, -uar == to report
  5. raund, -i, -e == a round
  6. reagoj == to react
  7. realizoj == to realize, to achieve
  8. recesion, -i, -e == a recession
  9. reciprokisht == reciprocally
  10. recital, -i, -e == a recital
  11. rezervim, -i, -e == a reservation
  12. rezervoj, -ova, -uar == to reserve
  13. rezultat, -i, -e == a result
  14. reduktoj, -ova, -uar == to reduce
  15. relativ, -e == relative (adj.)
  16. relativisht == relatively
  17. religjioz, -e == religious
  18. replikoj == to replicate
  19. restorant, -i, -e == a restaurant
  20. reumatizëm, -mi, -ma == rheumatism
  21. rezervë, -a, -a == a reserve
  22. rezolutë, -a, -a == a resolution
  23. rival, -i, -ë == a rival
  24. i,e rregullt == regular

S

  1. saktë == exactly
  2. i,e saktë == exact
  3. saktësi, -a, - == exactitude
  4. sandale, -ja, -e == sandals
  5. sanduiç, -i, -ë == a sandwich
  6. sanksion, -i, -e == a sanction
  7. sekret, -i, -e == a secret
  8. sekretar, -i, -ë == a secretary
  9. sekt, -i, -e == a sect
  10. sektor, -i, -ë == a sector
  11. semestër, -ri, -ra == a semester
  12. seminar, -i, -e == a seminar
  13. sezon, -i, -e == a season
  14. shtet, -i, -e == a state, country
  15. simbolik, -e == symbolic, very cheap
  16. simptomë, -a, -a == a symptom
  17. sinjal, -i, -e == a signal
  18. i,e sinqertë == sincere
  19. situatë, -a, -a == a situation, condition
  20. skanoj == to scan
  21. skemë, -a, -a == a scheme
  22. skizm, -i, -a == a schism
  23. sklerozë, -a, -a == a sclerosis
  24. social, -e == social
  25. solemn, -e == solemn, gala
  26. specifikë, -a, -a == a specific feature
  27. spektakël, -li, -le == a spectacle
  28. spektator, -i, -ë == a spectator
  29. spinaq, -i == spinach
  30. spital, -i, -e == a hospital
  31. sporadik, -e == sporadic
  32. staf, -i, -e == a staff
  33. status, -i, -e == a status
  34. statut, -i, -e == a statute
  35. sugjerim, -i, -e == a suggestion
  36. sukses, -i, -e == success
  37. stomak, -u, -ë == a stomach
  38. stres, -i == stress
  39. studim, -i, -e == a study
  40. studioj == to study

Sh

  1. shkollë, -a, -a == a school

T

  1. taksi, -a, - == a taxi
  2. tekst, -i, -e == a text
  3. telefon, -i, -a == a telephone
  4. telefon celular == a cell phone
  5. tempull, -lli, -j == a temple
  6. tender, -i, -ë == a tender
  7. terapi == a therapy
  8. termometër, -ri, -ra == a thermometer
  9. terror, -i, -e == a terror
  10. totalitar, -e == totalitarian
  11. torturë, -a, -a == torture
  12. trafikant, -i, -ë == a trafficker
  13. trafikim, -i, -e == a trafficking
  14. trajtim, -i, -e == a treatment
  15. trajtoj == to treat
  16. transferim, -i, -e == a transfer
  17. transport, -i, -e == a transport
  18. trojan, -i, -ë == Trojan
  19. tub, -i, -a == a tube
  20. turist, -i, -ë == a tourist
  21. turistik, -e == touristic

U

  1. unik, -e == unique
  2. uretër, -ra, -ra == an urethra

V

  1. vaginë, -a, -a == a vagina
  2. vaksinë, -a, -a == a vaccine
  3. valvul, -a, -a == a valve
  4. vanilje, -a == vanilla
  5. variant, -i, -e == a variant, variation
  6. varioj, -ova, -uar == to vary
  7. vëllim, -i, -e == volume
  8. venë, -, -a == a vein
  9. viktimë, -a, -a == a victim
  10. violinë, -a, -a == a violin
  11. vitaminë, -a, -a == a vitamin
  12. vizitoj == to visit
  13. volejboll, -i == volleyball
  14. votë, -a, -a == a vote
  15. votim, -i, -e == a voting

Xh

  1. xhaketë, -a, -a == a jacket
  2. xhinse == jeans, denim

Z

  1. zero == zero
  2. zigot, -i, -a == a zygote
  3. zonë, -a, -a == zone, area, region

Loan words for French speakers

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. arbitrazh, -i, -e == un arbitrage == an arbitrage
  9. avion, -i, -ë == un avion == an airplane
  10. avokat, -i, -e == un avocat == a lawyer
  11. bibliotekë, -a, -a == une bibliothèque == a library
  12. biftek, -u, -ë == un bifteck == a beefsteak
  13. biletë, -a, -a == un billet == a ticket
  14. bluzë, -a, -a == une blouse == a blouse
  15. bursë, -a, -a == une bourse == this word means both, like in French, a stock exchange and a study grant for undergraduates
  16. diskotekë, -a, -a == une discothèque == a diskotheque
  17. dakord == d'accord == agreed, all right
  18. i disponueshëm, e -me == disponible
  19. divorc == un divorce == a divorce
  20. ekran, -i, -e == un écran == a screen
  21. ekspozitë, -a, -a == une exposition == an exhibition
  22. emision, -i, -e == une émission == TV/radio show, program, broadcast
  23. filial, -i, -e == une filiale == a subsidiary (company)
  24. fill, -i, fije == un fil == a thread
  25. financiar, -e == financier == financial
  26. fizikë, -a == une physique == physics
  27. Francẽ, -a, -a == La France == France
  28. francez, -i, -ë == un français == a French
  29. francez, -e == français, -e == French (adj.)
  30. galeri, -a, - == une galerie == a gallery
  31. gaz, -i, -e == un gaz == a gas
  32. gjeografik, -e == géographique == geographic
  33. gjest, -i, -e == un geste == a gesture
  34. grevë == une grève == a strike
  35. gri == gris == grey
  36. grip, -i, -e == une grippe == a flu
  37. ide, -ja, - == une idée == an idea
  38. inkonjito == incognito == incognito
  39. institucion, -i, -e == une institution == an institution
  40. interesant, -e == interesant == interesting
  41. inxhinier, -i, -ë == un ingénieur == an engineer
  42. juridik, -e == juridique == legal, judicial
  43. kabinë, -a, -a == une cabine == a booth
  44. kafe, -ja, -e == un café == a coffee
  45. kanal, -i, -e == un canal == a channel
  46. kanion, -i, -e == un canyon == a canyon
  47. karakter, -i, -e == un caractère == a character, nature
  48. karakteristik, -e == caractéristique == characteristic
  49. karburant, -i , -e == un carburant == a fuel
  50. karotë, -a, -a == une carotte == a carrot
  51. kartë, -a, -a == une carte == a card (also a paper)
  52. kartë krediti == une carte de crédit == a credit card
  53. katër == quatre == four
  54. katolik, -e == catholique == catholic
  55. këmishë, -a, -ë == une chemise == a shirt
  56. kimi, -a == chimie == chemistry
  57. klient, -i, -ë == un client == a client
  58. koleg, -u, -ë == un collègue == a colleague
  59. komedi, -a, - == une comédie == a comedy
  60. komplikacion, -i, -e == une complication == a complication
  61. kontratë, -a, -a == un contrat == a contract, agreement
  62. kostum, -i, -e == un costume == a costume, a suit
  63. krem, -, -e == une crème == cream
  64. krem karamel == la crème caramel == caramel dessert
  65. krizë, -a, -a == une crise == a crisis
  66. kronikë, -a, -a == une chronique == a chronicle, news
  67. kuadër, -ri, -ro == un cadre == frame, setting
  68. kulturë, -a, -a == une culture == a culture
  69. kurs, -i, -e == un course == rate, course
  70. kuzhinë, -a, -a == une cuisine == a kitchen
  71. laborator, -i, -ë == un laboratoire == a laboratory
  72. lahutë, -a, -a == un luth == a lute
  73. latin, -e == latin -e
  74. latino-amerkan -e == Latino-américain -e
  75. legjendë, -a, -a == une légende == a legend
  76. librari, -a, - == une librarie == a bookstore
  77. linjë, -a, -a == une ligne == a line
  78. lokal, -i,- e == un local == premises, room
  79. madhësti -a == une majesté == a majesty
  80. maj, -i == maj == May
  81. mandarinë, -a, -a == une mandarine == a mandarin
  82. mars, -i == mars == March
  83. mathematikë, -a, == un mathématique == mathematics
  84. më == me == me, to me (attn. më can be a number of other things to in sentences)
  85. meny, -ja, - == un menu == a menu
  86. menyrë, -a, -a == une manière == manner, way
  87. mesazh -i, -e == un message == a message
  88. miliard, -i, -ë == un milliard == a billion
  89. milion, -i, ë == un million == a million
  90. modë, -a == une mode == fashion
  91. monogami, -a, -a == la monogamie == monogamy
  92. mur, -i, -e == un mur == a wall
  93. muze, -u - == un musée == a museum
  94. natyrë, -a == une nature == a nature
  95. oriz, -i == riz == rice
  96. paketë, -a, -a == un paquet == a package
  97. park, -u, -qe == un parc == a park
  98. pasion, -i, -e == une passion == a passion
  99. peizazh, -i, -e == un paysage == a scenery
  100. periudhë, -a, -a == une période == a period, time
  101. person, -i, -a == une personne == a person
  102. personalitet, -i, -e == une personnalité == a personality
  103. përqindje, -a, -e == un pourcentage == a percentage
  104. pishinë, -a, -a == une piscine == a swimming pool
  105. pistë, -a, -a == une piste == lane, floor
  106. pjesë, -a, -e == une pièce == a piece
  107. plazh, -i, -e == une plage == a beach
  108. politik, -e == politique == political
  109. politikë, -a, -a == une politique == a policy
  110. portë, -a, -a == une porte == a gate
  111. pozicion, -i, -e == une position == a position
  112. presion, -i, -e == une pression == a pressure
  113. prezantim == présentation == presentation
  114. principatë, -a, -a == une principauté == a principality, princedom
  115. prokuror, -i, -ë == un procureur == a prosecutor
  116. prozë, -a, -a == une prose == a prose
  117. pulë, -a, -a == un poulet == a chicken
  118. qershi, -a, - == une cerise == a cherry
  119. qiell, -lli, -j == le ciel == the sky.
  120. recepsioniste, -ja, -e == une réceptionniste == a receptionist (fem.)
  121. rezultat, -i, -e == un résultat == a result
  122. rigon, -i == origan == oregano
  123. rol, -i, -e == un rôle == a role
  124. roman, -i, -e == un roman == a novel
  125. rrobë, -a, -a == une robe == clothes
  126. sallë, -a, -a == une salle == lobby, auditorium, room
  127. sandale, -ja, -e == une sandale == a sandal
  128. seri, -a, - == une série == a series
  129. shans, -i, -e == une chance == a chance
  130. shef, -i, -a == le chef == a chef, a chief, a boss
  131. shifër, -ra, -ra == un chiffre == a figure, cipher
  132. shofer, -i, -ë == un chauffeur == a driver
  133. shurup, -i, -e == un sirop == a syrup
  134. sistem, -i, -ë == un système == a system
  135. strateg, -u, -ë == un stratège == a strategist
  136. strategjik, -e == stratégique == strategic
  137. studio, -ja, - == un studio == a studio
  138. sugjeroj, -ova, -uar == suggérer == to suggest
  139. supë, -a, -a == une soupe == a soup
  140. suvenir, -i, -e == un souvenir == a souvenir
  141. tabelë, -a, -a == une table == (black)board
  142. tarracë, -a, -a == une terrasse == a terrace
  143. teatër, -ri, -ro - un théâtre - a theatre
  144. teatral, -e == théâtral == theatrical
  145. teknik, -e == technique == technical
  146. teknologji, -a, - == une technologie == a technology
  147. temperaturë, -a, -a == une température == a temperature
  148. tragjedi -a == une tragédie == a tradegy
  149. transfertë, -a, -a == un transfert == a transfer, transaction
  150. i,e trishtuar - triste - sad
  151. temë, -a, -a == un thème == a theme, topic
  152. tension, -i == une tension (artérielle) == blood pressure
  153. traditë, -a, -a == une tradition == a tradition
  154. trupë, -a, -a == une troupe == a troupe, company, band
  155. unitet, -i, -e == une unité == an unity
  156. universitet, -i, -e == une université == an university
  157. valixhe, -ja, -e == une valise == a suitcase, baggage
  158. vegjetal, -e == végétal == vegetable (adj.)
  159. verandë, -a, -a == une véranda == a terrace, veranda
  160. vitrinë, -a, -a == une vitrine == a shop window
  161. vizë, -a, -a == un visa == a visa
  162. vizitë, -a, -a == une visite == a visit
  163. vizitor, -i, -ë == un visiteur == a visitor
  164. vlerë, -a, -a == une valeur == a value

Loan words for Italian speakers

  1. aleancë, -a, -a == un'alleanza == an alliance
  2. antipastë, -a, -a == un antipasto == an antipasti
  3. argjend, -i == argento == silver
  4. autobus, -i, -ë == un autobus == a bus
  5. ballkon, -i, -e == un balcone == a balcony
  6. biçikletë, -a, -a == una bicicletta == a bicycle
  7. birrë, -a, -a == una birra == a beer
  8. biskotë, -a, -a == un biscotto == a biscuit
  9. bizele, -ja, -e == un pisello == a bean
  10. çokolatë, -a, -a == una cioccolata == a chocolate
  11. diafragmë, -a, -a == a diaphragm
  12. divan, -i, -e == un divano == a sofa, a couch
  13. faturë, -a, -a == una fattura == a bill
  14. fitore, -ja, -e == una vittoria == a victory
  15. forum, -i, -e == un forum == a forum
  16. i,e fortë == forte == strong
  17. i,e freskët == fresco == fresh
  18. freskues, -e == rinfrescante == refreshing
  19. garazh, -i, -e == un garage == a garage
  20. gjigand, -i, -ë == un gigante == a giant
  21. gjykatës, -i, - == un giudice == a judge
  22. gusht, -i == agosto == August
  23. higjenë, -a == igiene == hygiene
  24. institucion, -i, -e == un'istituzione == an institution
  25. kakao, -ja, - == un cacao == a cocoa
  26. kallamar, -i, -ë == un calamaro == a calamari
  27. kamarier, -i, -ë == un camriere == a waiter
  28. kamion, -i, -e == un camion == a truck
  29. kapelë, -a, -a == un cappello == a cap (hat)
  30. kapitull, -lli, -j == un capitolo == a chapter
  31. kështjellë, -a, -a == un castello == a castle
  32. klime, -a, -a == un clima == a climate
  33. krap,- i, krep == una carpa == a carp
  34. klimë, -a, -a == un clima == a climate
  35. konkurrencë, -a == concorrenza == a competition
  36. konkurrent, -i, -ë == un concorrente == a competitor
  37. konsum, -i, -e == un consumo == consumption
  38. kontribut, -i, -e == un contributo == a contribution
  39. libër, -ri, -ra == un libro == a book
  40. limon, -i, -ë == un limone == a lemon
  41. makinë, -a, -a == una macchina == a car
  42. mas == mas == to weigh
  43. mit, -i, -e == un mito == a myth
  44. mobilje, -a, -e == un mobile == furniture
  45. nip, -i, -a == un nipote == a cousin
  46. orë, -a, -ë == un'ora == an hour (or a clock)
  47. origjinë, -a, -a == un'orignine == an origin
  48. pacient, -i, -ë == un paziente == a patient (male)
  49. pagesë, -a, -a == un pagamento == a payment
  50. paguaj, -ova, -uar == pagare == to pay
  51. paqe, -ja == pace == peace
  52. papagall, -lli, -j == un pappagallo == a parrot
  53. pantallona, -t == un pantalone == pants
  54. patate, -ja, -e == una patata == a potato
  55. patatinë, -a, -a == patatine == potato chips
  56. peshk, -u, peshq == un pesce == a fish
  57. peshkatar, -i, -ë == un pescatore == a fisherman
  58. për == per == for, about
  59. peshë, -a, -a == peso == weight
  60. picë, -a, -a == una pizza == a pizza
  61. pikant, -i, -ë == piccante == spicy
  62. piktor, -i, -ë == un pittore == a painter
  63. pjatë, -a, -a == un piatto == a plate, a dish, a course (food)
  64. pompoj == pompa == to pump
  65. pozicion, -i, -e == una posizione == a position
  66. proshutë, -a, -a == un prosciutto == a ham (also means bacon)
  67. rezistencë, -a, -a == una resistenza == a resistance
  68. salcë, -ë, -a == una salsa == a sauce
  69. salsiçise, -ja, -e == una salsiccia == a sausage
  70. sallatë, -a, -a == un'insalata == a salad
  71. siguri, -a, - == una sicurezza == a certainty
  72. skuadër, -ra, -ra == una squadra == a team
  73. stilograf, -i, -ë == una penna stilografica == a fountain pen
  74. tendencë, -a, -a == una tendenza == a tendency, trend
  75. titull, -lli, -j == un titolo == a title
  76. tortë, -a, -a == una torta == a cake
  77. tradicional, -e == tradizionale == traditional
  78. tren, -i, -a == un treno == a train
  79. vazo, -ja, - == un vaso == a vaze
  80. vilë, -a, -a == una villa == a villa
  81. xhiro, -, - == un giro == a round, lap

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. para, -ja, - == para == a money
  8. sulltan, -i, -ë == sultan == a sultan
  9. sheqer, -i == şeker == sugar
  10. shishe, -ja, -e == şişe == a bottle
  11. shisqebap, -i, -e == şiş kebap == shish kebab
  12. zarf, -i, -e == zarf == an envelope

Loan words for German speakers

  • mensë, -a, -a == die Mensa == a school cafeteria, a cantine
  • provim, -i, -e == eine Prüfung == a test, an exam

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

Loan words for Greek speakers

  • portokall, -lli, -j == πορτοκάλια == an orange

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.