Learning Albanian

From Wikistudy.ByJuho.fi
Revision as of 09:39, 14 September 2018 by Jukeboksi (talk | contribs) (→‎Loan words for English speakers: + diskutim, -i, -e == a discussion)

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'

Albanian has quite a few verbs that end in 'j'


Class 2 verbs - end in a consonant

Albanian verbs - Class 2 - ending in a consonant.png


Class 3 verbs - end in a vowel

Albanian verbs - Class 3 - ending in a vowel.png


Class 4 verbs - the three verbs ending in 'i'

Albanian verbs - Class 4 - three verbs ending in 'i'.png


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.

Irregular verb "jam" == "to be" Irregular verb "kam == "to have"


Class 6 verbs - end in '(h)em'

Albanian verbs - Class 6 - verbs ending in '(h)em'.png


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

Loan words for Italian speakers

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

Loan words for English speakers

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