🇦🇱 Annotated Albanian Lyrics with Standard Variants

Spoken Version (Lyrics)

Domaten e shoh
Ama veten e njoh
Me këtë rrogë s'blej dot asgjo
Çik kulaç edhe çik kripë
Natë edhe ditë
Ah si s'kam çik bukë
Djathë edhe mish
Pa të kisha kos
Tre mijë lek bën një qillo
Shoh në ëndërr
Do bëja përshesh
Të lëpija thonjtë
Ah një kastravec
Ta bëja sallatë
Nuk ju kërkojmë shumë
O ju qifsha gratë
Edi
Uli çmimet Edi
Mbaje dorën Edi
T’keqen Edi
Hajde në të sëmës thashë
Se robi rron e me syltjash
S'ka perime më
Jo më
Më vijnë faturat sikur merrem
Epo në të sëmës thashë
Me hashash
S'i paguaj dot
Nuk kam
Me ça
Tetëdhjetë mijë lekë ujë
Mos ma bëjnë për kunjë
Tërë natën po rri
Zgjuar me qiri
Ki mëshirë o shtet
Mos e kanë me mu
Njëqind mijë lek korrent
Shumë fort po na qin
Hiqe çik o Edi
  

English Translation

I see the tomato
But I know myself
With this salary I can’t buy anything
A bit of bread and a bit of salt
Night and day
Ah, I don’t have a bit of bread
Cheese and meat
If only I had yogurt
A kilo costs three thousand lek
I see in a dream
I would make përshesh
I would lick my nails
Ah, a cucumber
I’d make it a salad
We don’t ask much from you
Fuck your wives
Edi
Lower the prices, Edi
Hold your hand, Edi
My dear Edi
Go to your sick mother, I said
Because a person survives even on rice pudding
There are no more vegetables
No more
The bills come as if I were involved
Well, damn it, I said
With hashish
I can’t pay them
I don’t have
With what?
Eighty thousand lek for water
May they not do it out of spite
I’m staying up all night
Awake with candles
Have mercy, oh state
May they not mean me
One hundred thousand lek for electricity
They are fucking us really hard
Lower it a bit, Edi
  

🎵 Audio

Original Song:

Read Lyrics (TTS):

Spoken: Domaten e shoh

Standard: E shoh domaten

I see the tomato.

Vocabulary & Grammar: domaten = tomato (accusative definite); e = it (object clitic); shoh = I see. Clitic doubling with fronted object.

Nuance: Fronting the object sounds poetic/emphatic in songs.

Examples: E shoh librin → I see the book.

Spoken: Ama veten e njoh

Standard: Por e njoh veten

But I know myself.

Vocabulary & Grammar: ama = but (colloquial); por = but (neutral/formal); veten = myself; e njoh = I know it/him/her.

Nuance: Ama is everyday speech; por is the standard connector.

Examples: Por e njoh mirë. → But I know it well.

Spoken: Me këtë rrogë s'blej dot asgjo

Standard: Me këtë rrogë nuk blej dot asgjë

With this salary I can’t buy anything.

Vocabulary & Grammar: rrogë = salary; s'/nuk = not; dot = at all/able; asgjo (colloq.) = asgjë (nothing).

Nuance: asgjo is Tirana speech; dot emphasizes impossibility with a negated verb.

Examples: S’e bëj dot. → I can’t do it.

Spoken: Çik kulaç edhe çik kripë

Standard: Pak kulaç dhe pak kripë

A bit of bread and a bit of salt.

Vocabulary & Grammar: çik = a bit (slang for pak); kulaç = round bread; kripë = salt.

Nuance: Very colloquial; common in Tirana/central speech.

Examples: Do një çik ujë? → Do you want a bit of water?

Spoken: Natë edhe ditë

Standard: Natë e ditë

Night and day.

Vocabulary & Grammar: natë = night; ditë = day.

Nuance: Fixed idiom; article often dropped in set phrases.

Examples: Punon ditë e natë. → He works day and night.

Spoken: Ah, si s’kam çik bukë

Standard: Ah, si nuk kam pak bukë

Ah, I don’t have a bit of bread.

Vocabulary & Grammar: bukë = bread/food; si s’… = lament/astonishment; çik = a bit (colloq.).

Nuance: ‘si s’…’ is a common lament frame in speech.

Examples: Si s’erdhe dje? → How come you didn’t come yesterday?

Spoken: Djathë edhe mish

Standard: Djathë dhe mish

Cheese and meat.

Vocabulary & Grammar: djathë = cheese; mish = meat.

Nuance: Simple noun list; article omitted for generic items.

Examples: Dua bukë, djathë e mish. → I want bread, cheese and meat.

Spoken: Pa të kisha kos

Standard: Sikur të kisha kos

If only I had yogurt.

Vocabulary & Grammar: pa (dialectal) = if only; sikur = if only/as if; kisha = I had (subjunctive/conditional stem).

Nuance: Pa as ‘if only’ is archaic/folk; standard uses sikur.

Examples: Sikur të kisha para… → If only I had money…

Spoken: Tre mijë lek bën një qillo

Standard: Një kilogram bën tre mijë lekë

A kilo costs three thousand lek.

Vocabulary & Grammar: bën = costs (lit. ‘does’); qillo = kilo (market slang from kilogram).

Nuance: Market register; qillo is informal.

Examples: Sa bën ky domate? → How much is this tomato?

Spoken: Shoh në ëndërr

Standard: Shoh në ëndërr

I see in a dream.

Vocabulary & Grammar: ëndërr = dream; në + acc. for location.

Nuance: Set phrase ‘në ëndërr’.

Examples: Pashë një ëndërr të çuditshme. → I saw a strange dream.

Spoken: Do bëja përshesh

Standard: Do të bëja përshesh

I would make përshesh (bread-and-broth dish).

Vocabulary & Grammar: do + imperfect ≈ conditional; përshesh = traditional dish.

Nuance: Expresses hypothetical wish/plan.

Examples: Do shkoja, por s’kisha kohë. → I would go, but I didn’t have time.

Spoken: Të lëpija thonjtë

Standard: Do të lëpija thonjtë

I would lick my nails.

Vocabulary & Grammar: të lëpija = subjunctive/imperfect used for hypothetical; thonjtë = nails (def. pl.).

Nuance: Hyperbole for hunger/poverty.

Examples: Do (të) lëpija gishtat. → I’d lick my fingers.

Spoken: Ah, një kastravec

Standard: Ah, një kastravec

Ah, a cucumber.

Vocabulary & Grammar: kastravec = cucumber; slang insult in other contexts (‘idiot’).

Nuance: Here literal food; elsewhere can be pejorative.

Examples: Bleva dy kastravecë. → I bought two cucumbers.

Spoken: Ta bëja sallatë

Standard: Do ta bëja sallatë

I’d make it a salad.

Vocabulary & Grammar: ta = it (DO clitic); bëja = imperfect; sallatë = salad.

Nuance: Sallatë can also mean ‘a mess’ in slang.

Examples: Ta shihja filmin. → I’d watch the movie.

Spoken: Nuk ju kërkojmë shumë

Standard: Nuk ju kërkojmë shumë

We don’t ask much from you.

Vocabulary & Grammar: ju = you (plural/formal); kërkojmë = we ask.

Nuance: Plain standard register.

Examples: Ju kërkoj ndihmë. → I ask you for help.

⚠️ Vulgar/Offensive language

Spoken: O ju qifsha gratë

Standard: (Nuk ka variant standard; sharje vulgare)

Fuck your wives.

Vocabulary & Grammar: qij = to fuck (vulgar); gratë = the wives/women.

Nuance: Klasike sharje shqiptare që prek nderin familjar; shumë ofenduese.

Examples: — Vulgar; shmanget në ligjërim publik.

Spoken: Edi

Standard: Edi

Edi (addressing the person).

Vocabulary & Grammar: Vocative use of a proper name to address/appeal.

Nuance: Direct address, draws attention.

Examples: Arben! — thërritje/vokativ.

Spoken: Uli çmimet, Edi

Standard: Uli çmimet, Edi

Lower the prices, Edi.

Vocabulary & Grammar: uli = lower (imperative); çmimet = the prices.

Nuance: Blunt imperative + vocative name: forceful appeal.

Examples: Uli zërin! → Lower your voice!

Spoken: Mbaje dorën, Edi

Standard: Mbaje dorën, Edi

Hold your hand, Edi (idiom: restrain yourself).

Vocabulary & Grammar: mbaje = hold it (imp. + clitic -e); dorën = the hand.

Nuance: Idiom meaning ‘hold back/stop spending/doing’.

Examples: Mbaje mend. → Remember (hold it in mind).

Spoken: T’keqen, Edi

Standard: Të keqen, Edi

My dear Edi (lit. your trouble, Edi).

Vocabulary & Grammar: formulë përkëdhelëse/ironike familjare.

Nuance: Këtu me ngjyrim lutës/ironik.

Examples: T’keqen nëna! → (Mom’s dear!).

⚠️ Vulgar/Offensive language

Spoken: Hajde në të sëmës, thashë

Standard: Hajde në të sëmës, thashë

Go to your sick mother, I said.

Vocabulary & Grammar: Sharje e rëndë; ‘në të sëmës’ = mallkim ndaj nënës.

Nuance: Shumë ofenduese; përdoret si shfryrje.

Examples: — Sharje; shmanget në publik.

Spoken: Se robi rron edhe me syltjash

Standard: Sepse njeriu jeton edhe me syltjash

Because a person survives even on rice pudding.

Vocabulary & Grammar: se = because (colloq.); rob/robi = person (colloq.); rron = lives; syltjash = rice pudding.

Nuance: Folky/colloquial lexicon; humble survival food.

Examples: Rron me bukë e ujë. → He lives on bread and water.

Spoken: S’ka perime më

Standard: Nuk ka më perime

There are no more vegetables.

Vocabulary & Grammar: S’ka/Nuk ka = there isn’t/aren’t; më = anymore.

Nuance: Typical market complaint.

Examples: S’ka shpresë. → There’s no hope.

Spoken: Jo më

Standard: Jo më

No more / not anymore.

Vocabulary & Grammar: jo = no; më = anymore.

Nuance: Standalone rejoinder to negate continuation.

Examples: Nuk pi më. → I don’t drink anymore.

Spoken: Më vijnë faturat sikur merrem

Standard: Më vijnë faturat sikur të merresha (me diçka)

The bills come to me as if I were involved (in something).

Vocabulary & Grammar: më vijnë = come to me; faturat = the bills; sikur = as if/if only; merrem = I’m involved/deal (elliptical, often ‘me + N’ omitted).

Nuance: Sarcastic: charged as if a businessman/trafficker.

Examples: Flet sikur e di. → He speaks as if he knows.

⚠️ Vulgar/Offensive language

Spoken: Epo në të sëmës, thashë

Standard: Epo në të sëmës, thashë

Well, damn it (go to your sick mother), I said.

Vocabulary & Grammar: epo = well; ‘në të sëmës’ = heavy curse involving one’s mother.

Nuance: Exasperation + vulgar curse.

Examples: Epo boll! → Well, enough!

Spoken: Me hashash

Standard: Me hashash

With hashish.

Vocabulary & Grammar: hashash = cannabis (slang).

Nuance: Evokes illicit trade; not profanity itself.

Examples: — Kontekst i tregtisë së paligjshme.

Spoken: S’i paguaj dot

Standard: Nuk i paguaj dot

I can’t pay them.

Vocabulary & Grammar: i = them (object clitic); paguaj = pay; dot = at all/able; s’/nuk = negation.

Nuance: Standard inability structure ‘nuk… dot’.

Examples: S’i mbaj dot mend. → I can’t remember them.

Spoken: Nuk kam

Standard: Nuk kam

I don’t have.

Vocabulary & Grammar: kam = have; nuk = not.

Nuance: Bare negative clause as full utterance.

Examples: Nuk kam para. → I don’t have money.

Spoken: Me ça?

Standard: Me çfarë?

With what?

Vocabulary & Grammar: ça = colloquial for çfarë (what).

Nuance: Everyday Tirana interrogative.

Examples: Me ça do paguaj? → With what will I pay?

Spoken: Tetëdhjetë mijë lekë ujë

Standard: Tetëdhjetë mijë lekë për ujin

Eighty thousand lek for water.

Vocabulary & Grammar: tetëdhjetë mijë = eighty thousand; ujë = water; për = for.

Nuance: Bill phrased as amount + item.

Examples: Dy mijë lekë kafe. → Two thousand lek for coffee.

Spoken: Mos ma bëjnë për kunjë

Standard: Të mos ma bëjnë për kunjë

May they not do it out of spite.

Vocabulary & Grammar: mos = let not; ma = to me; për kunjë = out of spite/grudge.

Nuance: Optative/wish with ‘mos’.

Examples: E tha për kunjë. → He said it out of spite.

Spoken: Tërë natën po rri

Standard: Po rri tërë natën

I’m staying up all night.

Vocabulary & Grammar: tërë = entire; po rri = I’m staying (progressive).

Nuance: Progressive aspect with ‘po’.

Examples: Po rri në shtëpi. → I’m staying at home.

Spoken: Zgjuar me qiri

Standard: Zgjuar me qiri

Awake with candles.

Vocabulary & Grammar: zgjuar = awake; qiri = candle.

Nuance: Evokes blackout/power cuts.

Examples: Rri zgjuar deri vonë. → Stay awake till late.

Spoken: Ki mëshirë, o shtet

Standard: Ki mëshirë, o shtet

Have mercy, oh state!

Vocabulary & Grammar: ki = imperative of kam (have); mëshirë = mercy; o = vocative particle.

Nuance: Archaic/poetic imperative ‘ki’.

Examples: Ki kujdes! → Be careful!

Spoken: Mos e kanë me mu

Standard: Të mos e kenë me mua

May they not mean me (be targeting me).

Vocabulary & Grammar: e ka me dikë = to target/mean someone; me mu (dial.) = me mua (std.).

Nuance: Central/Northern dialect drops final -a in mua → mu.

Examples: S’e ka me ty. → He’s not talking about you.

Spoken: Njëqind mijë lek korrent

Standard: Njëqind mijë lekë për korrentin

One hundred thousand lek for electricity.

Vocabulary & Grammar: korrent = electricity (It. corrente, colloq.); drita (colloq.) = electricity bill.

Nuance: Colloquial service naming.

Examples: Pagova dritat. → I paid the electricity bill.

⚠️ Vulgar/Offensive language

Spoken: Shumë fort po na qin

Standard: Na qijnë shumë fort

They are fucking us really hard.

Vocabulary & Grammar: qij = to fuck (vulgar); fort = hard/strong(ly); na = us (clitic).

Nuance: Crude complaint intensifier; very offensive in polite contexts.

Examples: Po na marrin nëpër këmbë. → They’re walking all over us. (non-vulgar)

Spoken: Hiqe çik, o Edi

Standard: Hiqe pak, Edi

Lower it a bit, Edi.

Vocabulary & Grammar: hiqe = remove/lower it (imp. + clitic -e); çik = bit (colloq.); pak = a little (std.).

Nuance: Everyday request phrasing with clitic imperative.

Examples: Hiqe dorën! → Take your hand off!