Meeting people in Albanian
How are you, what is your name, where are you from, I like it: the first five minutes. 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 10 Albanian phrases in this lesson
- Si jeni?si YE-ni
- How are you?
- Mirë, faleminderitMEE-re fa-le-min-DE-rit
- I'm fine, thanks
- Po ju?po YOO
- And you?
- Si quheni?si CHOO-he-ni
- What's your name?
- Quhem...CHOO-hem
- My name is...
- Nga jeni?nga YE-ni
- Where are you from?
- Jam nga...yam nga
- I'm from...
- Më pëlqenme pel-CHEN
- I like it
- Është e bukurESH-te e BOO-koor
- It's beautiful
- Mirë se viniMEE-re se VEE-ni
- Welcome
Use this with older people, strangers, and anyone you want to address respectfully. "Jeni" is the formal plural or polite form of "you" in Albanian.
The standard positive reply to "how are you." You can also add "edhe ju?" (and you?) to keep the conversation going. Albanians appreciate the effort.
The polite "and you?". With friends: "po ti?" (po TEE).
Formal version, good for introductions with strangers or older people. The informal version is "Si quhet?" Use the formal until you sense a casual tone is welcome.
"Quhem Anna", I am called Anna. "Emri im është..." (my name is) is the textbook version.
Albanians are curious and welcoming toward foreigners. Saying your country name afterward is enough to complete the exchange, and you will often get enthusiastic responses about relatives or friends abroad.
"Jam nga Kanadaja".
Literally "it pleases me".
For the coast, the mountains and old Berat.
What a host says at the door. The traditional reply is "mirë se ju gjeta" (MEE-re se yoo JE-ta), glad to find you well.