Are you traveling to Albania? While many speak English, it’s always a good idea to learn some local expressions. Not many tourists speak Albanian and you will still be warmly welcomed if you don’t, but if you take the time to learn just a couple of Albanian phrases and words, it would be much appreciated and enable you to experience more of the local ways of Albania.
For me, it’s always most memorable to talk with the locals, and the best way to do it is in their language. Here’s a big list of useful Albanian phrases and words!
| English | Albanian |
| Hello | Përshëndetje! / Tungjatjeta |
| Good morning | Mirëmëngjes! |
| Good day | Mirëdita! |
| Good evening | Mirëmbrëma! |
| Good night | Natën e mirë! |
| Bye | Mirupafshim! |
| Welcome | Mirë se vini! |
Useful phrases and Albanian words to memorize
Besides greeting phrases, these are some that you should memorize.
| English | Albanian |
| Yes | Po |
| No | Jo |
| How are you? | Si Jeni? |
| Good | Mirë |
| Not so good | Jo shumë mirë |
| Much | Shumë |
| More | Më shumë |
| What’s your name? | Si quheni? |
| Nice to meet you | Gëzohem që ju takoj |
| Sorry | Më fal |
| Excuse me | Më falni |
| Thank you | Faleminderit |
| You’re welcome | Ju lutem |
| I don’t understand | (Unë) nuk kuptoj |
| I don’t speak Albanian very well | Unë nuk flas shqip mirë |
| Do you speak English? | Flisni Anglisht? |
| Where can I find the toilets? | Ku është tualeti / banjoja? |
| What time is it? | Sa është ora? |
| Is this seat taken? | A është i zënë ky vend? |
| Can you help me? | Mund të më ndihmoni? |
Albanian phrases for the restaurant
When you are at a restaurant, it might be nice to be able to say a few Albanian phrases and words. In addition to a happier attitude, the waiter and the staff will probably give even better service if you make an effort yourself.
| English | Albanian |
| Could I please see the menu? | A mund të shoh menunë, ju lutem? |
| I’m vegetarian | Jam vegjeterian |
| What’s the name of this dish? | Si quhet kjo gjellë? |
| Enjoy your meal | Të bëftë mirë (Bon Appetit) |
| It’s delicious | Është e shijshme |
| How much is it? | Sa kushton? |
| Check, please. | Faturën, ju lutem! |
| Can I pay with credit card? | A mund të paguaj me kartë krediti? |
Meals
| English | Albanian |
| Breakfast | Mëngjes |
| Lunch | Drekë |
| Dinner | Darkë |
Food and drinks
Chances are pretty high that you will be eating when you are in Albania. Avoid the hassle of asking for an English menu by learning the following food-related Albanian phrases. Then you look at the Albanian version of the menu and easier understand what is being served.
| English | Albanian |
| Shrimps | Karkaleca deti |
| Squid | Kallamar |
| Ham | Proshutë |
| Beef | Mish lope |
| Chicken | Mish pule |
| Fish | Peshk |
| Vegetables | Perime |
| Ice cream | Akullore |
| Dessert | Ëmbëlsirë |
| Salt | Kripë |
| Pepper | Piper |
| White wine | Verë e bardhë |
| Red wine | Verë e kuqe |
| Beer | Birrë |
| Coffee | Kafe |
| Te | Caj |
| Water | Ujë |
Directions
If you are exploring on your own or if you are going somewhere, it can be helpful to know a few Albanian phrases to ask for directions and to understand the answer.
| English | Albanian |
| Here | Këtu |
| Where? | Ku? |
| Left | Majtas |
| Right | Djathtas |
| Go straight | Shkoni drejt |
| In the beginning of | Në fillim të |
| Close | Afër |
| In the end of | Në fund të |
| Behind | Mbrapa |
| Excuse me.. how can I get to… ? | Më falni..Si mund të shkoj…? |
| Is it within walking distance? | A mund të shkoj më këmbë atje? |
Albanian numerals
To understand the Albanian numerals are especially useful if you plan to go shopping.
| English | Albanian |
| One | Një |
| Two | Dy |
| Three | Tre |
| Four | Katër |
| Five | Pesë |
| Six | Gjashtë |
| Seven | Shtatë |
| Eight | Tetë |
| Nine | Nëntë |
| Ten | Dhjetë |
| Twenty | Njëzet |
| Thirty | Tridhjetë |
| Forty | Dyzet |
| Fifty | Pesëdhjetë |
| Sixty | Gjashtëdhjetë |
| Seventy | Shtatëdhjetë |
| Eighty | Tetëdhjetë |
| Ninety | Nëntëdhjetë |
| One hundred | Njëqind |
| Thousand | Një mijë |
Facts about the Albanian Language
- There are about 7.6 million who can speak the Albanian language in the world
- There are 4 different dialects: Gheg, Tosk, Arbëresh and Arvanitika
- The Albanian language is considered to be a category II in difficulty to learn
- It’s the official language in Albania and Kosovo
Albanian Words for love
Të dua means I love you, and the actual Albanian word for love is dashuri.
This list of Albanian phrases was created to help new tourist to explore Albania in the fullest way possible and hopefully interact with the locals as we did when we traveled there. Bear in mind that I’m in no way fluent nor Albanian, so this list was created by help from Albanian friends.
And also a big thank you to www.learnalbanianonline.net which helped to correct some mistakes! And it’s a good resource if you want to learn some more Albanian words and phrases, or even learn to speak it fluently.
If you want to know how to say anything specific or learn certain Albanian phrases or Words that aren’t in this list, leave a comment below and I will gladly ask some of my Albanian friends how to say it.
I would also suggest Berat as one of the most beautiful destinations in Albania.