Albanian phrasebook

Albanian is the national and official language of Albania. It is an Indo-European language, forming its own isolated branch within the Indo-European language family. Thus it is not related closely to any other Indo-European language. Albanian is also an official language of Kosovo, and spoken by the majority of its population as a native tongue. Albanian also enjoys regional status in North Macedonia. Ethnic Albania spans Albania itself, plus the Preševo Valley of Serbia, and most of Kosovo, southern Montenegro, northwestern Greece, and a part of western North Macedonia. While the region spans several countries, they share similar culture and language and a robust internal transportation network.

Albanian has two main dialects, Gheg and Tosk, or the northern and southern dialects. The official standard is based on Tosk dialect since 1940s (both in Albania and in Kosovo, though the latter completely falls within the borders of northern dialect), which is reported to be a "softer" version of the language by native speakers. While the two dialects are mutually intelligible, a number of differences between each other exist.

The Albanian Alphabet is easier to learn than it appears since most of their letters do not change sounds as they do for example in English.

Pronunciation guide[edit]

Albanian is written as it is pronounced. The Albanian alphabet consists of 36 letters of the Latin script. The alphabet was standardised in 1909. Albanian is a branch of Indo-European and is considered to be the only language derived from the extinct Illyrian language. Albanian also is spoken in Greece, Italy, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, South Serbia, and Turkey.

Stress[edit]

For the vast majority of words, the main stress falls on the last word of a phrase, on the last stem of a compound word, and on the last syllable of a word.

Vowels[edit]

А а: 'a' as in "far"
E e: 'e' as in "elephant"
I i: 'ee' as in "feet"
O o: 'o' as in "obey"
U u: 'oo' as in "moon"
Ë ë: 'u' as in "up" or 'a' in "above" (it is silent at times at the end of a word)
Y y: 'y' as the French 'u' or the German 'ü'. To pronounce the sound, place your mouth in the position you would when you say 'oo' as in "moon", but say 'ee' as in "feet" instead. The closest sound in British English as is 'ue' in "blue" or 'ew' as in "flew".

Consonants[edit]

B b: 'b' as in "banana"
C c: 'ts' as in "wits"
Ç ç: 'ch' as in "chair"
D d: 'd' as in "dentist"
Dh dh: 'th' as in "that"
F f: 'f' as in "film"
G g: 'g' as in "great" (sometimes giving off a throaty sound)
Gj gj: 'dge' as in "dodge" or 'j' in "jet"
H h: 'h' as in "helicopter" (slightly aspirated]
J j: 'y' as in "year"
K k: 'k' as in "bank"
L l: 'l' as in "milk"
Ll ll: 'll' as in "balloon" or "mill" (as pronounced in Great Britain)
M m: 'm' as in "mother"
N n: 'n' as in "nest"
Nj nj: 'ni' as in "onion" (same as the Spanish 'ñ' sound)
P p: 'p' as in "problem"
Q q: hard 'ch' as in "actually" (as in "quick" only for foreign words)
R r: 'r' as in "rico" (trilled)
Rr rr: 'rr' as in Spanish "perro" (strongly trilled)
S s: 's' as in "hospital"
Sh sh: 'sh' as in "ship"
T t: 't' as in "telephone"
Th th: 'th' as in "things"
V v: 'v' as in "village"
X x: 'ds' as in "kids"
Xh xh: 'j' as in "jump"
Z z: 'z' as in "zero"
Zh zh: 's' as in "pleasure"

Even though it may be a combination of two Latin letters, note that each of these letters are considered an individual letter. This is important to remember when using an Albanian dictionary or anything indexed alphabetically.

Common diphthongs[edit]

io: 'io' as in "million"
ua: 'ua' as in 'iguana'

Other Sounds[edit]

oj: 'oy' as in "boy"
aj: 'i' as in "night"
ej: 'ay' as in "play"

tje: [tyeh] like the Spanish word 'tie' in "tiesto"
nje: [nyeh] like the Spanish word 'ñe' in "muñeco"
nju: [nyoo] like the English word "new"
njo: [nyoh] like the Spanish word "moño"
aja: [ayah]/[aia] like the Italian word 'aia' in "baia"
vje: [vyeh] like the Spanish word 'vie' in "viejo"
lje: [lyeh] like the Italian word "moglie"
dja: [dyah] like the Spanish word "día"
rja: [ryah] like the 'ria' in "Maria"

Phrase list[edit]

Basics[edit]

Common signs

OPEN: HAPUR (HAH-poor)
CLOSED: MBYLLUR (MBEW-lloor)
ENTRANCE: HYRJA (HEWR-yah)
EXIT: DALJE (DAH-lyeh)
PUSH: SHTYJE (SHTEW-yeh)
PULL: NDUKJE (NDOO-kyeh)
TOILET: TUALET (twah-LEHT)
MEN: BURRA (BOO-rrah)
WOMEN: GRATË (GRA-tuh)
FORBIDDEN: NDALUAR (ndah-LOO-ahr)

Hello.: Tungjatjeta. (toon-jah-TYEH-tah)
Hello. (informal): Tjeta. (TYEH-tah")
How are you?: Si jeni? (see YEH-nee?)
Well, thanks.: Jam mirë, faleminderit. (yahm-MEER, fah-lehm-meen-DEH-reet)
Mrs./Madam: Zonjë (ZOH-nyuh)
Mr./Sir: Zotëri (zoh-teh-REE)
Miss: Zonjushë (zoh-NYOO-shuh)
What is your name?: Si e ke emrin? (see keh EHM-reen?)
My name is ______ .: Quhem______ . (CHYOO-hem_____ .)
Pleased to meet you.: Më vjen mirë. (muh VYEHN MEER)
Please.: Ju lutem. (yoo LOO-tehm)
Thank you.: Faleminderit. (fah-lehm-meen-DEH-reet)
You're welcome.: S'ka përse. (skah purr-SEH)
Yes.: Po. (poh)
No.: Jo. (yoh)
Excuse me. (getting attention or as a general apology): Më falni. (mah FAHL-nee)
Excuse me. (begging pardon): Më falni. (mah FAHL-nee)
Forgive (me).: Falni (FAHL-nee)
I'm sorry.: Më vjen keq. (mah VYEHN ketch); This is used to express condolences, so don't use it if you accidentally step on someone's shoe.
Goodbye: Mirupafshim (meer-oo-PAHF-sheem)
Goodbye (informal): Shëndet. (shuhn-DEHT)
Do you speak English?: A flisni Anglisht? (ah FLEES-nee ahn-GLEESHT)
Does anyone speak English?: A flet njeri anglisht? (ah FLEHT NYEH-ree ahn-GLEESHT?)
Help!: Ndihmë! (ndeem!)
Good morning.: Mirëmëngjes. (meer-muhn-JEHS)
Good afternoon/Good day.: Mirëdita. (meer-DEE-tah)
Good evening.: Mirëmbrëma. (meerm-BRUH-mah)
Good night.: Natën e mirë. (NAH-tehn eh MEER)
I don't understand.: Nuk kuptoj. (nook koop-TOY)
I understand.: Kuptoj. (koop-TOY)
Where are the toilets?: Ku është nevojtorja? (koo uhsht neh-voy-TOHR-yah?)

Problems[edit]

Help me!: Më ndihmë! (mah NDEE-mo!)
Go away!: Largohu! (lahr-GOH-hoo!)
Thief!: Hajdut! (hi-DOOT!)
Stop! Thief!: Ndalo! Hajdut! (ndah-LO hi-DOOT)
I'm lost.: Kam humbur rrugën. (kam HOOM-boor RROO-guhn)
Could you help me please?: A mund të më ndihmoni ju lutem? (ah MOOND tuh muh ndee-MOH-nee yoo LOO-tehm?)
Leave me alone!: Më lini të qetë! (muh LEE-nee tuh CHEHT)
Don't touch me!: Mos më prek! (moss muh prehk)
Call the police!: Thirr policinë ("Theer poh-lee-tseen")
Police!: Policia! (poh-lee-TSEE-yah)
I need your help.: Unë kam nevojë për ndihmën tuaj. (oon kahm neh-VOY puhr NDEE-uhn TOO-eye)
It's an emergency.: Është një rast urgjent. (uhsht nyuh RAHST oor-JEHNT)
I'm lost.: Unë jam i humbur. (oon yahm ee HOOM-boor)
I lost my bag.: Kam humbur çanten time. (kahm HOOM-boor CHAHN-ten TEE-meh)
I lost my wallet.: Kam humbur portofolin tim. (kahm HOOM-boor pohr-toh-FOH-leen teem)
I'm sick/ill.: Unë jam i sëmurë. (oon yahm ee suh-MOOR)
I've been injured.: Unë kam qenë plagosur. (oon kahm chehn plah-GOH-soor)
I need a doctor.: Unë kam nevojë për një doktor. (oon kahm neh-VOY puhr nyuh dohk-TOHR)
Can I use your phone?: A mund të përdor Unë telefonin tuaj? (Ah moond teh puhr-DOHR oon teh-leh-FOH-neen TOO-eye?)

Numbers[edit]

0: zero (zeh-ROH)
1: një (nyeh)
2: dy (doo)
3: tre (trehh)
4: katër (kah-TUR')
5: pesë (pehs)
6: gjashtë (jahsht)
7: shtatë (shtaht)
8: tetë (teht)
9: nëntë (nehnt)
10: dhjetë (thyeht)
11: njëmbëdhjetë (nyehm-behd-THYEHT)
12: dymbëdhjetë (dewm-bah-THYEHT)
13: trembëdhjetë (trehm-bah-thyeh-TAH)
14: katërmbëdhjetë (kah-tuhrm-bah-thyeh-TAH)
15: pesëmbëdhjetë (peh-sahm-bah-thyeh-TAH)
16: gjashtëmbëdhjetë (jahsh-tahm-bah-thyeh-TAH)
17: shtatëmbëdhjetë (shtah-tuhm-buh-thyeh-TAH)
18: tetëmbëdhjetë (teh-tuhm-buh-thyeh-TAH)
19: nëntëmbëdhjetë (nuhn-tuhm-buh-thyeh-TAH)
20: njëzet (nyeh-ZEHT)
30: tridhjetë (tree-THYEHT)
40: dyzet (doo-ZEHT)
50: pesëdhjetë (pehs-THYEHT)
60: gjashtëdhjetë (jahsht-THYEHT)
70: shtatëdhjetë (shtaht-THYEHT)
80: tetëdhjetë (teht-THYEHT)
90: nëntëdhjetë (nahn-tah-THYEH-tah)
100: njëqind (nyah-CHEEND)
200: dyqind (dew-CHEEND)
300: treqind (treh-CHEEND)
400: katërqind (kah-tuhr-CHEEND)
500: pesëqind (peh-suh-CHEEHD)
600: gjashtëqind (jahsh-tuh-CHEEND)
700: shtatëqind (shtah-tuh-CHEEND)
800: tetëqind (teh-tuh-CHEEND)
900: nëntëqind (nuhn-tuh-CHEEND)
1000: njëmijë (NYUH-mee-yuh)
one million: një milion (nyeh mee-LYOHN)
1,000,000,000 milliard (MILL-YARD) one billion in UK, one trillion in USA

Time[edit]

now: tani (tah-NEE)
later: më vonë (mah vohn)
before: më parë (mah pahr)
morning: mëngjes (mahn-JES)
noon: mesditë (mehs-DEET)
afternoon: pas dreke (pahs dreh-KEH)
evening: mbrëmje (mbrah-MYEH)
night: natë (naht)
midnight: mesnatë (mehs-NAHT)

Clock time[edit]

one o'clock AM: një e natës (nyeh eh nah-TAHS)
two o'clock AM: dy e natës (die eh nah-TAHS)
one o'clock PM: një pasdite (nyeh pahs-dee-TEH)
two o'clock PM: dy pasdite (dew pahs-dee-TEH)

Duration[edit]

_____ minute(s): _____ minutë/a (mee-NOOT/ah)
_____ hour(s): _____ orë (ohr)
_____ day(s): _____ ditë (diht)
_____ week(s): _____ javë (yahv)
_____ month(s): _____ muaj (mwai)
_____ year(s): _____ vit/e (viht/eh)

Days[edit]

today: sot (soht)
yesterday: dje (dyeh)
tomorrow: nesër (nehsr)
day after tomorrow: pasnesër (pahs-NEHSR)
this week: këtë javë (keht yahv)
last week: javës që kaloi (yah-VEHS cheh kah-LOI)
next week: javës që vjen (yah-VEHS cheh vien)

Sunday: e diel (eh dyehl)
Monday: e hënë (eh hah-NAH)
Tuesday: e martë (eh mahr-TAH)
Wednesday: e mërkurë (eh mehr-koo-RAH)
Thursday: e enjte (eh ayn-TEH)
Friday: e premte (eh prehm-TEH)
Saturday: e shtunë (eh shtoo-NAH)

Months[edit]

January: janar (yah-NAHR)
February: shkurt (sh-KOORT)
March: mars (mahrs)
April: prill (pree-AHL)
May: maj (mai)
June: qershor (cheh-SHOHR)
July: korrik (kohr-REEK)
August: gusht (goosht)
September: shtator (shtah-TOHR)
October: tetor (teh-TOHR)
November: nëntor (nehn-TOHR)
December: dhjetor (thyeh-TOHR)

Seasons[edit]

summer: vera (veh-RAH)
spring: pranverë (prahn-veh-RAH)
autumn: vjeshtë (vyehsh-TAH)
winter: dimër (dee-MEHR)

Writing time and date[edit]

Albania uses the 24 hour clock.

What date is it today?: Çfarë data është sot? (chfahr dah-TAH ahsht soht?)
What time is it?: Sa është ora? (sah ahsht oh-RAH?)
It's....am/pm.: Ora është....para dreke/pas dreke. (oh-RAH ahsht pah-RAH dreh-KEH/pahs dreh-KEH)

Colors[edit]

black: zi (zee)
white: bardhë (barth)
gray: gri (gree)
red: kuq (kooch)
blue: blu (bloo)
yellow: verdhë (vehrth)
green: jeshile (yeh-shee-LEH)
orange: portokalli (pohr-toh-kahl-LEE)
purple: purpurt (poor-POORT)
brown: kafe (kah-FEH)
pink: rozë (rohz)

Transportation[edit]

car: makina (mah-kee-NAH)
taxi: taksi (tahk-SEE)
bus: autobus (ow-toh-BOOS)
van: furgon (foor-GOHN)
truck: kamion (kah-MYOHN)
trolley bus: trolejbus (troh-lay-BOOS)
tram: tramvaji (trahm-VAI)
train: treni (treh-NEE)
subway: metro (meh-TROH)
ship: anija (ah-NYAH)
boat: varkë (vahrk)
helicopter: helikopter (heh-lee-kohp-TEHR)
airplane/airline: avion/linjë ajrore (ah-VYOHN/lee-NYEH ai-roh-REH)
bicycle: biçikletë (bee-chee-KLEHT)
motorcycle: motor/motorçikletë (moh-TOHR/moh-tohr-chee-KLEHT)
carriage: karrocë (kahr-ROHTS)
Could I rent a______?: Mund të marr me qira një______? (moond teh mahrr meh gee-RAH nyeh...?)
How much are your rates?: Sa janë tarifat tuaja? (sah yahn tah-ree-FAHT twah-YAH?)

Bus and train[edit]

How much is a ticket to _____?: Sa kushton një biletë për në _____? (sah koosh-TOHN nyeh pehr neh?)
One ticket to _____, please.: Një biletë për në _____, ju lutem. (nyeh bee-LEHT pehr neh, yoo loo-TEHM)
Where does this train/bus go?: Ku shkon ky tren/autobus? (koo shkohn kee trehn/ow-toh-BOOS?)
Where is the train/bus to _____?: Ku është treni/autobusi për _____? (koo ehsht treh-NIH/ow-toh-boo-SEE pehr?)
Does this train/bus stop in _____?: A ndalon ky tren/autobus në _____? (ah ndah-LOHN kee trehn/ow-toh-BOOS neh?)
When does the train/bus for _____ leave?: Kur niset treni/autobusi për _____? (koor nee-SEHT treh-NEE/ow-toh-boo-SEE pehr?)
When will this train/bus arrive in _____?: Kur do të mbërrijë ky tren/autobus në _____? (koor doh teh mbehr-RYEH kee trehn/ow-toh-BOOS neh?)

Directions[edit]

How do I get to _____ ?: Si mund të shkoj te _____ ? (seh moond tuh sh-koy teh?)
...to the train station?: ...tek stacioni i trenit? (tehk stah-tsyoh-NEE ee treh-NEET?)
...to the bus station?: ...tek stacioni i autobusit? (tehk stah-tsyoo-NEE ee ow-toh-boo-SEET?)
...to the airport?: ...tek aeroporti? (tehk ah-eh-roh-pohr-TEE)
...downtown?: ...në qendër? (nehh chehn-DEHR?)
...the youth hostel?: ...tek hosteli i të rinjve? (tehk hohs-teh-LEE ee tehh ree-nvyeh?)
...the _____ hotel?: ...tek hoteli ____? (tehk hohs-teh-LEE?)
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?: ...tek ambasada amerikane/kanadeze/australiane/angleze? (tehk ahm-bah-sah-DAH ah-meh-ree-kah-NEE/kah-nah-deh-ZEH/ows-trah-lyah-NEH/ahn-gleh-ZEH?)
Where are there a lot of...: Ku ka shumë (koo kuh shoom)
...hotels?: ...hotele? (hoh-teh-LEH?)
...restaurants?: ...restorante? (rehs-toh-rahn-TEH)
...bars?: ...bare? (bah-REH)
...sites to see?: ...vënde për të parë? (vuhn-DEH pehr tuh pahr?)
Can you show me on the map?: A mund të më tregoni në hartë? (ah moond tuh mah treh-goh-NEE nuh hahrt)
street: rruga (rroo-GAH)
road/avenue: rrugë (rroog)
boulevar: bulevard (boo-leh-VAHRD)
highway: autostradë (ow-toh-STRAHD)
alley: rrugicë (rroo-GEETS)
Turn left.: Kthehu majtas. (ktheh-HUH mai-TAHS)
Turn right.: Kthehu djathtas. (ktheh-HUH dyahth-TAHS)
left: majtas (mai-TAHS)
right: djathtas (dyahth-TAHS)
straight ahead: drejt (drayt)
towards the _____: drejt _____ (drayt)
past the _____: pas _____ (pahs)
before the _____: para _____ (pah-RAH)
Watch for the _____.: Shiko për _____. (shee-KOH pehr)
intersection: udhëkryqi (oo-theh-kroo-CHEE)
north: veri (veh-REE)
south: jug (yuhg)
east: lindje (leen-DYEH)
west: perëndim (peh-r'n-DEEM)
uphill: e përpjetë (pehr-PYEHT) or malore (mah-loh-REH)
downhill: tatëpjetë (tah-t'-PYEHT)

Taxi[edit]

Taxi!: Taksi! (tahk-SEE)
Take me to _____, please.: Më çoni tek ____, ju lutem. (mah choh-NEE tehk...,yoo loo-TEHM)
How much does it cost to get to _____?: Sa kushton për të shkuar tek _____? (sah koosh-TOHN pehr tah sh-KWAHR tek)
Take me there, please.: Më çoni atje, ju lutem. (mah choh-NEE ah-TYEH, yoo loo-TEHM)

Lodging[edit]

Do you have any rooms available?: Keni dhoma të lira? (keh-NEE thoh-MAH teh lee-RAH?)
How much is a room for one person/two people?: Sa kushton një dhomë për një njeri/dy njerëz? (sah koosh-TOHN nyeh thohm pehr nyeh nyeh-REE/doo nyeh-REHZ?)
Does the room come with...: A ka dhoma ... (ah kah thoh-MAH)
...bedsheets?: ...çarçafë? (chahr-CHAHF?)
...a bathroom?: ...banjo? (bah-NYOH?)
...a telephone?: ...telefon? (teh-leh-FOHN?)
...a TV?: ...televizor? (teh-leh-vee-ZOHR?)
May I see the room first?: A mund ta shoh dhomën? (Ah moond tah shoh thoh-MAHN?)
Do you have anything quieter?: Keni ndonjë dhomë më të qetë? (keh-NEE ndoh-NYAH thohm mah tah cheht?)
...bigger?: ...më të madhe? (mah tah mah-THEH?)
...cleaner?: ...më të pastër? (mah tah pahs-TAHR?)
...cheaper?: ...më të lirë? (mah tah leer?)
OK, I'll take it.: Dakord, do ta marr. (dah-KOHRD, doh tah mahrr)
I will stay for _____ night(s).: Do të rri për _____ natë/netë. (doht rrih pehr...naht/NEH-tah)
Can you suggest another hotel?: Mund të më këshilloni një hotel tjetër? (moond tah mah K'SHIHL-loh-nih nyeh HOH-tehl TYEH-tahr?)
Do you have a safe?: Keni kasafortë? (keh-NEE kah-sah-FOHRT?)
...lockers?: ...kasafortë personale? (kah-sah-FOHRT pehr-soh-nah-LEH?)
Is breakfast/supper included?: A përfshihet mëngjesi/darka? (ah pahrf-shee-HEHT mehn-JEH-see/dahr-KAH?)
What time is breakfast/supper?: Në çfarë ore jepet mëngjesi/darka? (nah chfahr oh-REH yeh-PEHT mehn-JEH-see/dahr-KAH?)
Please clean my room.: Ju lutem, ma pastroni dhomën. (yoo loo-TEHM, mah pahs-troh-NEE thohm)
Can you wake me at _____?: A mund të më zgjoni në _____? (ah moond tah mah zgoy-oh-NEE nah...?)
I want to check out.: Dua të bëj pagesën. (dwoh tah bay pah-geh-SEHN) or Dua të liroj dhomën. (dwoh tah lee-ROY thoh-MAHN)

Money[edit]

The Albanian currency is Lëkk [luhkk]. And Albanians count money according to the old money count, i.e. 1 new Lëkk equals 10 old Lëkk. In supermarkets they will show the prices in new Lëkk, but in openmarkets or orally people will say or ask 10 times more than the neccesary price. If you are asked to pay 1000 (one thousand) Lëkk, you need to pay only 100 Lëkk. This is only if they ask you in Albanian, and it is better to clarify do they mean new or old Lëkk.

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: A ju të pranoni dollarë Amerikan/Australiane/Kanadez? (ah yoo tah prah-noh-NEE dohl-LAHR ah-meh-ree-KAHN/ows-trah-lyah-NEH/kah-nah-DEHZ?)
Do you accept British pounds?: A ju të pranoni paund britanik? (ah yoo tah prah-noh-NEE pownd bree-tah-NEEK?)
Do you accept credit cards?: Mos ju pranoni kartat e kreditit? (mohs yoo prah-noh-NEE kahr-TAHT eh kreh-dee-TEET?)
Can you exchange money for me?: A mund të shkëmbeni para për mua? (ah moond tuh shkum-BEH-nee pah-RAH pehr mwah?)
Where can I get money exchanged?: Ku mund të shkëmbej para? (koo moond tuh shkum-BAY pah-RAH?)
Can you exchange a traveler's check for me?: Mund të shkëmbeni një çek udhëtarësh për mua? (moond tuh shkum-BEH-ni nyah check oo-theh-TAR-ush pehr mwah?)
Where can I get a traveler's check exchanged?: Ku mund të shkëmbej një çek udhëtarësh? (koo moond tuh shkum-BAY nyah check oo-theh-TAR- ush?)
What is the exchange rate?: Cili është kursi i shkëmbimit valutor? (tsee-LEE ahsh-TAH koor-SEE ee shkahm-bee-MEET vah-loo-TOHR?)
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?: Ku është një makinë automatike e parave? (koo ahsh-TAH nyah mah-kee-NAH ow-toh-mah-tee-KEH eh pah-rah-VEH?)

Eating[edit]

A table for one person/two people, please.: Një tavolinë për një person/dy njerëz, ju lutem. (nyah tah-voh-lee-NAH pehr nyah pehr-SOHN/dew nyeh-RAHZ, yoo loo-TEHM)
Can I look at the menu, please?: A mund ta shikojmë në menu, ju lutem? (ah moond tah shee-koy-MAH nuh meh-NOO, yoo loo-TEHM?)
Can I look in the kitchen?: Mund të shikoni në kuzhinë? (moond tah shee-koh-NEE nah koo-zhee-NAH?)
Is there a house specialty?: A ka ndonjë specialitet shtëpi? (ah kah ndoh-NYAH speh-tsyah-lee-TEHT shtah-PEE?)
Is there a local specialty?: A ka ndonjë specialitet lokale? (ah kah ndoh-NYAH speh-tsyah-lee-TEHT loh-kah-LEH?)
I'm a vegetarian.: Unë jam vegjetarian. (oo-NAH yahm veh-jeh-tah-RYAHN)
I don't eat pork.: Unë nuk ha mish derri. (oo-NAH nook hah meesh deh-RREE)
I don't eat beef.: Unë nuk ha mish lope. (oo-NAH nook hash meesh loh-PEH)
I only eat kosher food.: Unë ha vetëm ushqime drejtë. (oo-NAH hah veh-TAHM oo-shchee-MEH dray-TAH)
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard): Mund të bëni atë "lite", ju lutem? (moond tah bah-NEE ah-TAH "lite", yoo loo-TEHM?)
fixed-price meal: fiks-vakt çmim (feeks-vahkt chmeem)
a la carte: a la carte (ah lah kahrt)
breakfast: mëngjesi (mahn-jeh-SEE)
lunch: drekë (dreh-KAH)
tea (meal): çaj (chai)
supper/dinner: darkë (dahrk)
I want _____.: Dua _____. (dwah....)
spoon: lugë (loog)
fork: pirun (pee-ROON)
knife: thikë (theek)
plate: pjatë (pyaht)
glass (drinking): gotë (goht)
cup: filxhan (feel-JAHN)
saucer: pjatëz (pyah-TAHZ)
bowl: tas (tahs)
napkin: pecetë (peh-TSEHT)
I want a dish containing _____.: Unë dua një pjatë që përmban _____. (oon dwah nyah pyaht chuh puhrm-BAHN...)
chicken: mish pule (meesh poo-LEH)
beef: mish lope (meesh loh-PEH)
fish: peshk (pehshk)
ham: proshutë (proh-SHOOT)
sausage: sallam (sah-LLAHM)
cheese: djathë (dyahth)
eggs: vezë (vehz)
salad: sallatë (sah-LLAHT)
(fresh) vegetables: (të freskëta) perimeve ((tah frehs-kuh-TAH) peh-ree-mee-VEH)
(fresh) fruit: (të freskëta) fruta ((tah frehs-kuh-TAH) froo-TAH)
bread: bukë (book)
toast: bukë i thekur (book ee theh-KOOR)
noodles: makarona (ma-kah-RONE-ah)
rice (pilaf): pilaf (PEE-LAUGH)
beans: fasule (fah-soo-LEH)
May I have a glass of _____?: Mund të kem një gotë _____? (moond tah kehm nyah goht....?)
May I have a cup of _____?: Mund të kem një filxhan të _____? (moond tah kehm nyah feel-JAHN tah....?)
May I have a bottle of _____?: Mund të kem një shishe _____? (moond tuh kehm nyah shee-SHEH...?)
coffee: kafe (kah-FEH)
tea (drink): çaj (chai)
juice: lëng (lung)
(bubbly) water: (flluska) ujë ((flloos-KAH oo-EE). Alternatively, ujë me gas ((oo-EE me gas).
water: ujë (oo-EE)
beer: birra (bee-RRAH)
red/white wine: verë i kuq/e bardhë (vehr ee kooch/eh barth)
May I have some _____?: Mund të kem disa _____? (moond tah kem dee-SAH)
salt: kripë (kree-PAH)
black pepper: piper i zi (pee-PEHR ee zee)
butter: gjalpë (jahlp)
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): Më falni, kamerier? (mah fahl-NEE, kah-meh-RYEHR?)
I'm finished.: Unë jam i mbaruar. (oo-NAH yahm ee mbah-RWAHR)
It was delicious.: Ishte e shijshme. (eesh-TEH eh shee-SHMEH)
Please clear the plates.: Ju lutemi mund ti marrësh pjatat. (yoo loo-teh-MEE moond tee MAHR-ush PYAT-at)
The check, please.: Fatura, ju lutem. (fah-TOO-rah, yoo loo-TEHM)

Bars[edit]

Do you serve alcohol?

A shërbeni alkool? (ah shahr-beh-NEE ahl-KOHHL?)

Is there table service?

A ka shërbim tryezë? (ah kah shar-BEEM trew-eh-ZAH?)

A beer/two beers, please.

Një birre/dy birra , ju lutem. (nyah beer-RAH/dew beer-RAH, yoo loo-TEHM)

A glass of red/white wine, please.

Një gotë vere e kuqe/e bardhë, ju lutem (nyah goh-TAH veh-RAH eh koo-CHEH/eh bahr-THAH, yoo loo-TEHM)

A pint, please.

Një pintë, ju lutem (nyah peen-TUH, yoo loo-TEHM)

A bottle, please.

Një shishe, ju lutem. (nyah shee-SHEH, yoo loo-TEHM)

whiskey

Uiski (wees-KEE)

vodka

votka (voht-KAH)

water

ujë (oo-EE)

orange juice

lëng portokalli (lung pohr-toh-kah-LLEE)

Coke (soda)

Koka-kola (koh-KAH-koh-LAH)

Do you have any bar snacks?

A keni ndonje snack bar (ah keh-NEE ndoh-NYEH snahk bahr)

One more, please.

Edhe një, ju lutem. (eh-THEY njah, yoo loo-TEHM)

Another round, please.

Edhe një radhë, ju lutem. (eh-THEY njah RAH-THE, yoo loo-TEHM)

When is closing time?

Kur është koha e mbylljes? (koor ahsh-TAH koh-HAH eh mbewl-LYEHS?)

Shopping[edit]

Do you have this in my size?: A keni këtë në numrin tim? (ah keh-NEE kah-TAH nah noom-REEN teem?)
How much is this?: Sa është kjo? (sah ahsh-TAH kyoh?)
That's too expensive.: Kjo është teper e shtrenjtë. (kyoh ahsh-TAH teh-PEHR eh shtreh-nyeh-TAH)
Would you take _____?: A do të merrni _____? (ah doh tah mehrr-NEE....?)
expensive: i shtrenjtë (ee shtreh-nyeh-TAH)
cheap: i lirë (ee lee-RAH)
I can't afford it.: Unë nuk mund ta përballojë atë. (oo-NAH nook moond tah pahr-bah-loy-TAH ah-TAH)
I don't want it.: Unë nuk e dua atë. (oo-NAH nook eh dwah aht)
You're cheating me.: Ju jeni mashtrojnë mua. (yoo yeh-NEE mahsh-troy-NAH mwah)
I'm not interested.: Unë nuk jam i interesuar. (oo-NAH nook yahm ee een-teh-reh-SWAHR)
OK, I'll take it.: Mirë, unë do të marrë atë. (meer, oon doh tuh mahrr aht)
Can I have a bag?: Më jepni një qese? (muh yehp-NEE nyah cheh-SEH?)
Do you ship (overseas)?: A keni anije (jashtë)? (ah keh-NEE ah-NYEH (yahsht))
I need...: Unë kam nevojë për... (oo-NAH kahm neh-voy puhr....)
...toothpaste.: ...pastë dhëmbësh. (pahs-TAH thahm-BASH)
...a toothbrush.: ...një furçë dhëmbësh. (nyah foor-CHAH thahm-BASH)
...tampons.: ...tampona. (tahm-poh-NAH)
...feminine napkins: ...napkins femëror (nahp-KEENS feh-muh-ROHR)
...soap.: ...sapun (sah-POON)
...shampoo.: ...shampo (shahm-POH)
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): ...reliever dhimbje. (reh-lyeh-VEHR theem-BYEH)
...cold medicine.: ...mjekësi të ftohtë. (myeh-kuh-SEE tuh ftoh-TAH)
...stomach medicine.: ...ilaç stomaku. (ee-LAHCH stoh-mah-KOO)
...a razor.: ...një brisk. (nyah breesk)
...shaving cream: ...krem rroje (krehm rroh-YEH)
...deodorant.: ...deodorant. (deh-oh-doh-RAHNT)
...an umbrella.: ...një çadër. (nyah chah-DAHR)
...sun tan lotion.: ...tan dielli locion (tahn dyeh-LLEE loh-TSYOHN)
...perfume: ...parfum (pahr-FOOM)
...a postcard.: ...një kartolinë (nyah kahr-toh-lee-NAH)
...postage stamps.: ...pulla postare. (poo-LLAH pohs-tah-REH)
...batteries.: ...bateri. (bah-teh-REE)
...writing paper.: ...shkruar. (shkrwahr)
...a pen.: ...stilolaps (stee-loh-LAHPS)
...a pencil: ...laps (lahps)
...English-language books.: ...Anglisht-libra gjuhe. (ahn-GLEESHT-lee-BRAH joo-HEH)
...English-language magazines.: ...revista gjuhën angleze. (reh-vees-TAH joo-HAHN ahn-gleh-ZEH)
...an English-language newspaper.: ...një gazetë në gjuhën angleze. (nyah gah-zeh-TAH nah yoo-HAHN ahn-gleh-ZEH)
...an English-Albanian dictionary.: ...një fjalor anglisht-shqip. (nyah fyah-LOHR ahn-GLEESHT-sh-CHEEP)

Driving[edit]

You need to remember that most of the road signs are in picture form and not by words like they do in America. Some such as the common 'STOP' sign shall be seen in major cities in Albania. But get a European road guide that would show which road signs you wish to know.

I want to rent a car.: Dua të marr me qira një makinë (dwah tah mahrr meh chee-RAH nyah mah-kee-NAH)
Can I get insurance?: A mund të marr sigurim? (Ah moond tah mahrr see-goo-REEM?)
stop (on a street sign): STOP (stohp)
one way: një drejtim (nyah DRAY-teem)
yield: Hapni rrugën (hahp-NEE rroo-GAHN)
no parking: ska parkim (skah pahr-KEEM)
speed limit: limit shpejtësie (lee-MEET shpay-tah-SYEH)
gas (petrol) station: stacion benzine (stah-TSYOHN behn-zee-NEH)
petrol: benzinë (behn-zee-NAH)
diesel: dizel (dee-ZEHL)

Authority[edit]

I haven't done anything wrong.: S'kam bërë asgjë të keqe. (suh'kahm bah-RAH ahs-JAH tah keh-CHEH)
It was a misunderstanding.: Ishte keqkuptim. (eesh-TEH kehch-koop-TEEM)
Where are you taking me?: Ku po më çoni? (koo poh mah choh-NEE?)
Am I under arrest?: Jam nën arrest? (yahm nahn ah-RREHST?)
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.: Jam një shtetas(e) amerikan(e)/australian(e)/anglez(e)/kanadez(e). (yahm nyah shteh-TAHS(eh) ah-meh-ree-KAHN(eh)/ ows-trah-LYAHN(eh)/ ahn-GLEHZ(e)/ kah-nah-DEHZ(eh))
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.: Dua të flas me ambasadën amerikane/australiane/angleze/kanadeze. (dwah tah flahs meh ahm-bah-sah-DAHN ah-meh-ree-kah-NEH/ows-trah-lyah-NEH/ahn-gleh-ZEH/kah-nah-deh-ZEH)
I want to talk to a lawyer.: Dua të flas me një avokat. (dwah tah flahs meh nyah ah-voh-KAHT)
Can I just pay a fine now?: A mundem thjesht të paguaj gjobën tani? (ah moon-DEHM thyehsht tah pah-GWAI joh-BAHN tah-NEE?)

Emergencies[edit]

Help!: Ndihmo! (ndeeh-MOE)
Look out!: Kujdes! (kui-DEHS)
Fire!: Zjarri! (zyah-RREE)
Go away!: Largohu! (lahr-goh-HOO)
Thief!: Hajdut! (hai-DOOT)
Stop thief!: Hajdut Stop! (hai-DOOT stohp)
Call the police!: Tërhiqni vëmendjen e policisë! (tahr-hee-chnee vah-mehn-DYEHN eh poh-lee-tsee-SAH)
Where is the police station?: Ku është stacioni i policisë? (koo ahsh-TAH stah-tsyoh-NEE ee poh-lee-TSEE-SAH?)
Could you help me please?: A mund të më ndihmoni ju lutem? (ah moond tah muh ndeeh-moh-NEE yoo loo-TEHM?)
Could I use your telephone?: Mund të përdorni telefonin tuaj? (moond tah pahr-dohr-NEE teh-leh-foh-NEEN twai?)
There's been an accident!: Ka qenë një aksident! (kah cheh-NAH nyah ahk-see-DEHNT)
Call a...: Thërrisni një... (thah-rreesh-NEE nyah....)
...doctor!: doktor! (dohk-TOHR)
...an ambulance!: një ambulancë! (nyah ahm-boo-lahn-TSAH)
I need medical attention!: Unë kam nevojë për kujdes mjekësor! (oo-NAH kahm neh-VOY pehr kui-DEHS myeh-kah-SOHR)
I'm ill.: Unë jam i sëmurë. (oo-NAH yahm ee sah-moo-RAH)
I'm lost.: Unë jam i humbur. (oo-NAH yahm ee huhm-BOOR)
I've been raped!: Unë kam qenë përdhunuar! (oo-NAH kahm cheh-NAH pahr-thoo-NWAHR!)
Where are the toilets?: Ku jane banjot? (koo yah-NEH bah-NYOHT?)

Learning more[edit]

This is a guide phrasebook. It covers all the major topics for traveling without resorting to English. But please Plunge forward and help us make it a star!