Whether you grew up hearing Albanian at home or you are learning it for your partner’s family, these are the phrases you will use most. Formal forms are for elders and people you do not know well; informal forms are for friends and family.
How to read the pronunciation
Albanian is written almost exactly as it sounds, so once you know a few letters you can read anything. The guides below are simplified for English speakers. Capital letters show the stressed syllable.
- ë sounds like the “uh” in about, and is often almost silent at the end of a word (mirë sounds close to “meer”).
- ç is “ch” as in church, and xh is “j” as in judge.
- q is a soft sound between “ch” and “ky”. If in doubt, say “ch”.
- gj is a soft “dy” or “j” sound, like the gu in argue.
- dh is the “th” in this; th is the “th” in think.
- j is “y” as in yes, nj is “ny” as in canyon, and c is “ts”.
- rr is a rolled r; ll is a dark L as in pull.
Greetings and basics
| Albanian | English | Say it like |
|---|---|---|
| Përshëndetje | Hello | puhr-shuhn-DEH-tyeh |
| Tungjatjeta / Tung | Hello (Tung is casual) | toon-jah-TYEH-tah / toong |
| Mirëmëngjes | Good morning | meer-uh-muhn-JES |
| Mirëdita | Good day | meer-uh-DEE-tah |
| Mirëmbrëma | Good evening | meer-uhm-BRUH-mah |
| Natën e mirë | Good night | NAH-tuhn eh MEER |
| Mirupafshim | Goodbye | mee-roo-PAHF-sheem |
| Si jeni? / Si je? | How are you? (formal / informal) | see YEH-nee / see YEH |
| Mirë, faleminderit | Fine, thank you | MEER, fah-leh-meen-DEH-reet |
| Faleminderit | Thank you | fah-leh-meen-DEH-reet |
| Ju lutem / Të lutem | Please; also “you’re welcome” | yoo LOO-tem / tuh LOO-tem |
| Më falni / Më fal | Sorry, excuse me | muh FAHL-nee / muh FAHL |
| Po / Jo | Yes / No | poh / yoh |
| Si quhesh? | What’s your name? (informal) | see CHOO-hesh |
| Unë quhem… | My name is… | OO-nuh CHOO-hem |
| Nga je? | Where are you from? (informal) | ngah YEH |
| Jam nga… | I’m from… | yahm ngah |
| Gëzohem që u njohëm | Nice to meet you | guh-ZOH-hem chuh oo NYOH-huhm |
In Kosovo and the north you will also hear Gheg forms, such as Qysh je? for “How are you?”, and the short greeting Tung.
Family
| Albanian | English | Say it like |
|---|---|---|
| Gjysh | Grandfather | JÜSH (ü as in German) |
| Gjyshe | Grandmother | JÜ-sheh |
| Nënë | Mother | NUH-nuh |
| Baba | Father, dad | BAH-bah |
| Vëlla | Brother | vuh-LAH |
| Motër | Sister | MOH-tuhr |
At the table
| Albanian | English | Say it like |
|---|---|---|
| Ju bëftë mirë! / T’bëftë mirë! | Enjoy your meal (formal / informal) | yoo BUHF-tuh MEER / tuh BUHF-tuh MEER |
| Bukë | Bread (also “food”) | BOO-kuh |
| Ujë, ju lutem | Water, please | OO-yuh, yoo LOO-tem |
| Kafe | Coffee | kah-FEH |
| Çaj | Tea | chai |
Celebrations and wishes
| Albanian | English | Say it like |
|---|---|---|
| Gëzuar! | Cheers! / Happy… | guh-ZOO-ahr |
| Shëndet! | Health! (a toast, “bless you”, or a casual goodbye) | shuhn-DET |
| Urime! | Congratulations! | oo-REE-meh |
| Gëzuar ditëlindjen! | Happy birthday! | guh-ZOO-ahr dee-tuh-LEEN-dyen |
| Gëzuar Vitin e Ri! | Happy New Year! | guh-ZOO-ahr VEE-teen eh REE |
| Gëzuar Ditën e Flamurit! | Happy Flag Day! (28 November) | guh-ZOO-ahr DEE-tuhn eh flah-MOO-reet |
| Gëzuar Ditën e Pavarësisë! | Happy Independence Day! | guh-ZOO-ahr DEE-tuhn eh pah-vah-ruh-SEE-suh |
| Rroftë Shqipëria! | Long live Albania! | RROHF-tuh shchee-puh-REE-ah |
Love and affection
Albanians use these with partners, but also with children, family and close friends.
| Albanian | English | Say it like |
|---|---|---|
| Të dua | I love you | tuh DOO-ah |
| Të dua shumë | I love you very much | tuh DOO-ah SHOO-muh |
| Zemër / Zemra ime | Sweetheart (literally “heart”) / My heart | ZEH-muhr / ZEM-rah EE-meh |
| Shpirt / Shpirti im | Darling (literally “soul”) / My soul | SHPEERT / SHPEER-tee eem |
| Të kam shpirt | You are my heart and soul | tuh kahm SHPEERT |
| Dashuria ime | My love | dah-shoo-REE-ah EE-meh |
Keep practising
Want to hear real voices? Omniglot has audio recordings of many of these phrases. Then try them at the next family dinner, and tell us how it went on Instagram.
Sources: Wikivoyage: Albanian phrasebook · Omniglot: Albanian phrases · Omniglot: Gheg Albanian · Wikipedia: Albanian alphabet · Omniglot: Albanian family words