Language

In Albania the official language is Albanian (Shqip), which is also an official language in Kosovo and Macedonia. Some people also speak Greek, but only 5% of the population speaks English. As a result of the blooming tourism in Saranda, you will definitely find more people that will understand some English, but you can make your trip a little bit easier and fun by learning a few basic words and phrases in Albanian. You’ll be surprised how much this will be appreciated!

Basic Phrases

Hello.Tungjatjeta. (toon-jah-TYEH-tah)
Hello. (informalTjeta. (TYEH-tah)
How are you? Si jeni? (see YEH-nee?)
Well, thanks.Jam mirë, faleminderit. (yahm-MEER, fah-lehm-meen-DEH-reet)
Mrs./MadamZonjë (ZOH-nyuh)
Mr./Sir Zotëri (zoh-teh-REE)
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.Më falni. (mah FAHL-nee)
Forgive (me).Falni (FAHL-nee)
Goodbye Mirupafshim (meer-oo-PAHF-sheem)
Goodbye (informalShëndet. (shuhn-DEHT)
Do you speak English? A flisni Anglisht? (ah FLEES-nee 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)

Common Signs

OPENHAPUR (HAH-poor)
CLOSEDMBYLLUR (MBEW-lloor)
ENTRANCEHYRJA (HEWR-yah)
EXITDALJE (DAH-lyeh)
PUSHSHTYJE (SHTEW-yeh)
PULLNDUKJE (NDOO-kyeh)
TOILETTUALET (twah-LEHT)
MENBURRA (BOO-rrah)
WOMENGRATË (GRA-tuh)
FORBIDDENNDALUAR (ndah-LOO-ahr)

Numbers

0zero (zeh-ROH)
1një (nyeh)
2dy (doo)
3tre (trehh)
4katër (kah-TUR’)
5pesë (pehs)
6gjashtë (jahsht)
7shtatë (shtaht)
8tetë (teht)
9nëntë (nehnt)
10dhjetë (thyeht)
100njëqind (nyah-CHEEND)
1000njëmijë (NYUH-mee-yuh)