Greetings and politeness in Albanian
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the ten openers everything else builds on. Play the ten Albanian words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Albanian phrases in this lesson
- Përshëndetjeper-shen-DET-ye
- Hello
- Mirëmëngjesmee-re-MEN-yes
- Good morning
- Mirëmbrëmamee-rem-BRE-ma
- Good evening
- Mirupafshimmee-roo-PAF-shim
- Goodbye
- ShihemiSHEE-heh-mee
- See you
- Ju lutemyoo LOO-tem
- Please
- Faleminderitfa-le-min-DE-rit
- Thank you
- S'ka përseska per-SE
- You're welcome
- Më vjen keqme vyen KECH
- Sorry
- Më falnime FAL-ni
- Excuse me
- Gëzoj që ju njohge-ZOY chye yoo nyoh
- Nice to meet you
The standard greeting for any situation. Use it with strangers, shopkeepers, and anyone you want to show respect to. Albanians appreciate the effort enormously.
Used until around midday. The ë sounds are like the "u" in "but," so aim for a soft, neutral vowel. A warm smile goes a long way alongside it.
Said arriving anywhere in the evening. The parting version is "natën e mirë", good night.
The standard farewell, literally meaning "until we see each other again." A warm, optimistic parting phrase that fits any setting.
Literally "we see each other", the everyday goodbye between friends. Mirupafshim is the polite one.
The same phrase serves as "please" when making a request. Place it at the end of a sentence for a polite, natural-sounding ask.
The everyday thank-you for all occasions. It looks long but flows quickly in speech. Stress falls firmly on the DE syllable.
Literally "there's no reason", the everyday reply to thanks. "Ju lutem" also works, but it already means please.
Literally "it comes bad to me". The real apology, also used for sympathy.
To get attention or ask to pass. It literally means "forgive me", so it can soften a small mistake too.
A warm phrase for first introductions. Albanians often follow a handshake with a few friendly words and this phrase fits perfectly into that ritual.