Felicità

Al Bano & Romina Power

🔊È tenersi per mano, andare lontano, la felicità

🔊È il tuo sguardo innocente in mezzo alla gente, la felicità

🔊È restare vicini come bambini la felicità, felicità

🔊È un cuscino di piume, l'acqua del fiume che passa e che va

🔊È la pioggia che scende dietro le tende, la felicità

🔊È abbassare la luce per fare pace, la felicità, felicità

🔊È un bicchiere di vino con un panino, la felicità

🔊È lasciarti un biglietto dentro al cassetto, la felicità

🔊È cantare a due voci quanto mi piaci, la felicità, felicità

🔊Senti nell'aria c'è già

🔊La nostra canzone d'amore che va

🔊Come un pensiero che sa

🔊Di felicità

🔊Senti nell'aria c'è già

🔊Un raggio di sole più caldo che va

🔊Come un sorriso che sa

🔊Di felicità

🔊È una sera a sorpresa, la luna accesa e la radio che va

🔊È un biglietto d'auguri pieno di cuori, la felicità

🔊È una telefonata non aspettata, la felicità, felicità

🔊È una spiaggia di notte, l'onda che parte, la felicità

🔊È una mano sul cuore piena d'amore, la felicità

🔊È aspettare l'aurora per farlo ancora, la felicità, felicità

🔊Senti nell'aria c'è già

🔊Un raggio di sole più caldo che va

🔊Come un sorriso che sa

🔊Di felicità

🔊 Vocabulary ⬇️

tenersi per mano

to hold hands

teh-NER-see pair MAH-no

sguardo innocente

innocent gaze

ZGWAHR-doh in-no-CHEN-teh

cuscino di piume

pillow of feathers

koo-SHEE-no dee PYOO-meh

abbassare la luce

to dim the light

ab-bas-SAH-reh lah LOO-cheh

bicchiere di vino

glass of wine

bik-KYEH-reh dee VEE-no

biglietto

note / ticket

bil-YET-toh

a due voci

in two voices (duet)

ah DOO-eh VOH-chee

raggio di sole

ray of sunshine

RAHJ-jo dee SOH-leh

sera a sorpresa

surprise evening

SEH-rah ah sor-PREH-zah

spiaggia di notte

beach at night

SPIAH-jah dee NOT-teh

mano sul cuore

hand on heart

MAH-no sool KWOH-reh

aurora

dawn

ow-ROH-rah

book Grammar Notes ⬇️

“È + noun phrase” defines happiness: È tenersi per mano...

“che” = relative pronoun: l'acqua del fiume che passa

“di” = of/quality: cuscino di piume

Present tense for general truths: Senti nell'aria c'è già

Click any line to hear Italian pronunciation and toggle English

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Мини-заметка: «Я не сказочник…»

Мини-заметка: «Я не сказочник — просто жизнь иногда бывает страннее любых сказок.»

“I’m not a storyteller — it’s just that life is sometimes stranger than any fairy tales.”

Нажмите ▶️, чтобы услышать фразу по-русски: Я не сказочник — просто жизнь иногда бывает страннее любых сказок.

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Я не сказочник — просто жизнь иногда бывает страннее любых сказок.

I’m not a storyteller — it’s just that life is sometimes stranger than any fairy tales.

#реальность #ирония #сравнение #философия

сказочник – storyteller (м.р., разг. оттенок «выдумщик»)

сказитель – bard/narrator of folk tales (стил.-высок.)

выдумщик – inventor/fabricator (разг.)

просто – simply; “it’s just that” (частица/наречие)

жизнь – life (ж.р., сущ., ед.ч.)

иногда / порой / иной раз – sometimes

бывает – (it) happens / can be (3 ед. наст. от бывать)

реальность – reality

страннее – stranger (сравн. ст. от странный)

чуднее – more wondrous/weirder (книжн.)

любых – of any (род. мн., от любой)

сказок – of fairy tales (род. мн., от сказка)

чем – than (союз, в этой цитате опущен)

тире — punctuation dash linking parts / highlighting contrast

не – not (отрицательная частица)

жизнь бывает + странной/непредсказуемой/нелепой

правда жизни / голая реальность

страннее вымысла (поэт.)

чуднее всякой выдумки (книжн.)

я не выдумываю / я не приукрашиваю

бывает, что… / так случается, что…

• Я не сказочник: именная часть без «есть» — нулевая связка в наст. времени: Я — студент, Она не врач.
• просто как частица → смягчает/объясняет: «дело в том, что», «просто-напросто».
• бывает (от бывать) выражает общую тенденцию/обычную возможность, не конкретный факт сейчас.
• страннее любых сказок: сравнит. степень + род. падеж без «чем». Конструкция книжная/лаконичная: «…страннее (чего?) любых сказок».
• Альтернатива: страннее, чем любые сказки — разговорнее, но длиннее.
• Тире усиливает логическую паузу и контраст: «не я выдумываю — сама реальность». В речи допустима интонационная пауза.
• Словопорядок: вынос просто к началу второй части делает высказывание естественным и «разговорным» по тону.

• Я не выдумщик — реальность иногда страннее любой сказки. I’m not a fabricator — reality is sometimes stranger than any fairy tale.
• Я не приукрашиваю — бывает, жизнь чуднее всякой выдумки. I’m not embellishing — life can be more wondrous than any invention.
• Честно, не до сказок: порой сама жизнь невероятнее. Honestly, forget fairy tales: life itself is sometimes more unbelievable.
• Это не сказка — просто так вышло, что реальность страннее. It’s not a fairy tale — it just turned out that reality is stranger.
• Я не сказитель, я свидетель — жизнь нередко обгоняет фантазию. I’m not a tale-teller, I’m a witness — life often outruns imagination.
• Не я драматизирую — действительность бывает курьёзнее сказок. I’m not dramatizing — reality is sometimes more bizarre than fairy tales.
• Без выдумок: жизнь иной раз страннее любых сюжетов. No embellishment: life is at times stranger than any plots.
• Я не сочиняю — такое просто случается, и всё. I’m not making it up — this kind of thing just happens, that’s all.

• Новости такие, что хоть стой, хоть падай — жизнь опять страннее любых сказок. News so wild you could just faint — life is again stranger than any fairy tales.
• Нет, это не постановка. Реальность сегодня превзошла фантазию. No, it’s not staged. Reality outdid imagination today.
• Просто фиксирую факты — они выглядят невероятнее выдумок. I’m just recording facts — they look more unbelievable than inventions.
• Случается и так: жизнь делает твист, который ни один сценарист не придумает. It happens: life pulls a twist no screenwriter would think up.

1. Перефразируйте синонимами к «сказочник»: сказитель, выдумщик. Сохраните смысл «я не…».
2. Замените «иногда» на порой/иной раз/временами. Сравните оттенок стиля.
3. Сделайте две версии: a) «страннее любых сказок», b) «страннее, чем любые сказки». Где какая звучит уместнее?
4. Подставьте вместо «сказок» другие слова: легенд/мифов/историй/вымысла и проговорите вслух.
5. Мини-пост: опишите реальную ситуацию в 1–2 предложениях и завершите формулой из цитаты.

• Нейтрально-разговорный тон благодаря частице «просто» и тире.
• Сжатость: родительный мн. вместо «чем» делает фразу афористичной.
• Универсальность: подходит для постов с фактами, личными историями, новостными «твистами».

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Albanian Mini-Note – Classroom

Albanian mini-note: bank t fundit · Classroom pack

Type or paste Albanian to hear it: Hapni librat në faqen pesë.

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Note: final ë is silenced by the script so it isn’t pronounced.

banka – desk

banka e fundit – the last desk

banka e parë – the first desk

karrigia – chair

tryeza – table

klasa – classroom

tabela – board / whiteboard

dritarja – window

dera – door

muri – wall

fletorja – notebook

libri – book

lapsi – pencil

stilolapsi – pen

gomë – eraser

çanta – bag / backpack

lapsore – pencil case

fletë – sheet (paper)

test / provim – test / exam

ditari – grade book

orë – lesson / period / clock

zysha – teacher (female, colloq.)

mësuesja / mësuesi – the teacher (f/m)

nxënësi / nxënësja – student (m/f)

shoku / shoqja – classmate (m/f)

drejtori / drejtoresha – principal (m/f)

lexoj – to read

shkruaj – to write

dëgjoj – to listen

flas – to speak

mësoj – to learn / study

pyes – to ask

përgjigjem – to answer

ngrihem – to stand up

ulem – to sit down

hap – to open

mbyll – to close

kuptoj – to understand

kujtoj – to remember

harroj – to forget

filloj – to start

mbaroj – to finish

jap – to give / teach

marr – to take

tregoj – to tell / show

dëshiroj – to want / wish

ndihmoj – to help

përgatis – to prepare

kopjoj – to copy

përqendrohem – to concentrate

• Hapni librat në faqen pesë. Open your books to page five.
• Shkruani këtë në fletore. Write this in your notebook.
• Dëgjoni me kujdes! Listen carefully!
• Mos folni tani. Don’t talk now.
• Kush do të përgjigjet? Who wants to answer?
• Ngrihu në këmbë kur flet. Stand up when you speak.
• Mbyll derën, të lutem. Close the door, please.
• Ulu, faleminderit. Sit down, thank you.
• Kujdes me drejtshkrimin! Be careful with spelling!
• Puno në grup me shokun. Work in a group with your partner.
• Mos kopjoni! Don’t copy!
• Dërgo fletën këtu. Bring the sheet here.
• Keni dhjetë minuta kohë. You have ten minutes.
• Koha mbaroi, dorëzoni testet. Time’s up, hand in your tests.
• Bravo, shumë mirë! Well done, very good!
• Përpiqu më shumë herën tjetër. Try harder next time.
• Pushim pesë minuta. Five-minute break.
• Rreshtohuni! Line up!
• Dëgjoni zërin tim, ju lutem. Listen to my voice, please.
• Mos e ndërpreni shokun! Don’t interrupt your classmate!

• Po, zyshë. Yes, miss.
• Nuk e kuptova ushtrimin. I didn’t understand the exercise.
• Mund ta përsëritni, ju lutem? Can you repeat it, please?
• Mund të dal jashtë? Can I go outside?
• Mund të shkoj në tualet? Can I go to the toilet?
• Nuk e kam fletoren. I don’t have my notebook.
• Kam harruar lapsin. I forgot my pencil.
• A është për notë? Is this for a grade?
• Kam përfunduar. I’m finished.
• A mund të punoj me shokun tim? Can I work with my friend?
• Po e bëj tani. I’m doing it now.
• Nuk e di përgjigjen. I don’t know the answer.
• E mora me vonesë. I received it late.
• Faleminderit, zyshë. Thank you, miss.
• A do ta përsërisim nesër? Will we repeat it tomorrow?

• Tani dëgjoni. Now listen.
• Shkruani përgjigjen tuaj. Write your answer.
• Pyetje e mirë! Good question!
• Mos u nxitoni. Don’t rush.
• Punoni në çift. Work in pairs.
• Hapni dritaren. Open the window.
• Mbyllni librat. Close your books.
• Lexoni me zë të lartë. Read aloud.
• Mos u shqetësoni. Don’t worry.
• Fillojmë tani. Let’s begin now.
• Shikoni në tabelë. Look at the board.
• Mos harroni detyrën e shtëpisë. Don’t forget the homework.
• Kjo është shumë e rëndësishme. This is very important.
• Punë e mirë! Good work!

• Zysha flet me tipin te banka e fundit. The teacher is talking with the guy at the last desk.
• Ne rrimë te banka e parë. We sit at the first desk.
• Ti duhet ta mësosh këtë. You should learn this.
• Ai flet ngadalë. He speaks slowly.

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Albanian mini-note: bank t fundit

Albanian mini-note: bank t fundit

Type or paste Albanian to hear it: Pse duhet ta ndjej unë të t’jap sqarim ty?

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Note: final ë is silenced by the script so it isn’t pronounced.

• pse – why
• duhet – must / should
• ta – të + e → “it” before a verb (e.g., ta ndjej = I feel it)
• ndjej – to feel
• jap – to give
• sqarim – explanation, clarification
• unë – I / me
• ty – you (object form)
• bankë – desk, bench (also “bank” in finance)
• e fundit – the last, the final
• bank t fundit ≈ bankën e fundit – “the last desk” (colloquial)
• dua – I want / I love
• shoh – to see / to watch
• zysha – (slang) the teacher, miss (from zyshë)
• flet – speaks / talks
• me – with
• tipi – the guy / dude (colloquial)
• te – at / by / near

ta = të (linker) + e (direct object “it”).

Colloquial shortening: bank t fundit → standard bankën e fundit.

unë (I) and ti (you) often get dropped if context is clear.

• Pse duhet ta ndjej unë? Why should I feel it?
• Dua ta shoh. I want to see it.
• Zysha flet me tipin te banka e fundit. The teacher is talking with the guy at the last desk.
• Pse duhet ta ndjej unë të t’jap sqarim ty? Why should I feel like I owe you an explanation?
• Ai flet ngadalë. He speaks slowly.
• Ne rrimë te banka e parë. We sit at the first desk.
• Ti duhet ta mësosh këtë. You should learn this.

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All-in-one reference based on everyday Albanian, TV talk (Për’puthen)

Ultimate Albanian Mini-Textbook: Vocabulary, Phrases, Grammar, Slang + Click-to-Speak

All-in-one reference based on everyday Albanian, TV talk (Për'puthen), and social media comments—complete with collapsibles, interactive search, and Albanian TTS.

Quick search: Tip: click any 🔊 icon to hear the Albanian (final "ë" is silent in speech).

1) Për'puthen — "They Match"

Core Vocabulary

përputhemto match / be compatiblereflexive verb

përputhenthey match3rd pl.

karaktercharacter / personalitymasc.

shumëvery, a lotintensifier

mirëgood / welloften adverbial

Key Phrases

• Ne përputhemi shumë mirë. — We match very well.
• Ata përputhen si çift. — They match as a couple.
• Nuk përputhemi në karakter. — We don't match in character.
• Për'puthen — "They match" (TV show title).

Grammar tip: Reflexive verbs end in -hem and express mutual or self-directed action.

2) "Shumë bukur e paske thënë" — Admirative Mood

Shumë bukur e paske thënë! — "You said it beautifully!" (admiring tone)

Vocabulary

shumëvery

bukurbeautifully

eit / her(object clitic)

paskeapparently have2sg, admirative

thënësaidparticiple

Indicative → Admirative

Unë kam thënë→ Unë paskam thënëI've said (apparently)

Ti ke thënë→ Ti paske thënëYou've said (apparently)

Ai/Ajo ka thënë→ Ai/Ajo paska thënëHe/She has said (apparently)

Ne kemi thënë→ Ne paskemi thënëWe've said (apparently)

Ata/Ato kanë thënë→ Ata/Ato paskan thënëThey've said (apparently)

Extra Examples

• E ke thënë shumë bukur. — You've said it nicely.
• E ke shprehur shumë bukur. — You've expressed it very nicely.
• E paske parë emisionin? — You apparently watched the show?

Clitic "e": the direct-object pronoun ("it/her") appears before the verb: E kam parë.

3) "Trash show" — Registers & Tone

Vocabulary

emisionTV show

pa vlerëwithout value

i dobëtweak / poor

i pavlerëworthless

kotpointless

plehrëtrash(strong)

turpshame

vlerëvalue

By Register

Neutral / Formal

• Emision pa vlerë. — Show without value.
• Program i pavlerë. — Worthless program.

Colloquial / Strong

• Emision kot. — Pointless show.
• Show plehrë. — Garbage show.

Full Sentences

• Ky është një emision plehrë, s'ka asnjë vlerë. — This is trash TV; no value.
• Çfarë show plehrë, vetëm grindje dhe bërtitje. — What trash—just fights & shouting.
• S'ka skenar, s'ka kuptim — emision plehrë total. — No script, no logic—total trash.

4) Kohë — "Time" & Pronunciation

Note: Final ë often silent: kohë → koh

• Nuk kam kohë. — I don't have time.
• S'kam koh. — I don't have time. (colloquial)
• Nuk më del koha. — I don't have enough time.

Negation: formal nuk; colloquial s'

5) Tallje — Mockery & Slang

Core Vocabulary

tallemto teasereflexive

talljemockery / nonsense

trapiBS / idiotvulgar slang

betbet / wagerloanword

Pattern: tallem me…

• Tallem me ty. — I'm teasing you.
• A po tallesh me mua? — Are you kidding me?
• Mos u tall me mua! — Don't make fun of me!

Tallje trapi me bet 500 — "Complete nonsense—I'd bet 500."

6) Everyday Expressions & Practice

Quick Expressions

• S'ka problem. — No problem.
• Çfarë po bën? — What are you doing?
• S'kam nerva. — No patience.

Practice Sentences

• S'kam kohë sot, do shihemi nesër. — No time today, see you tomorrow.
• Ata përputhen në gjithçka. — They match in everything.

7) Grammar + Pronunciation

Key Concepts

-hemreflexive (përputhem)

paskaadmirative mood

s'colloquial negation

eit/her clitic

shumëvery/a lot

ëoften silent

Pronunciation

ëschwa/silentkohë → koh

qsoft "ch"qen ≈ chen

xh"j" junglexhaxha

lllong Lyll

rrtrilled rrrugë

“Shpi do bëjmë” / “Shtëpi do bëjmë”

Literal: “We’re going to build a house.”
Figurative (slang/jokey): “We’re doing something huge / over the top.”

🇦🇱 Albanian Future marker: do

▶Phrases & audio

Shtëpi do bëjmë

Standard

Shpi do bëjmë

Slang

Çfarë do të bëjmë?

Standard: “What shall we do?”

Ça do bëjmë?

Colloquial: “What are we gonna do?”

We’re going to build a house.

English

Click Enable TTS first so your browser picks a voice (best if it supports Albanian).

▶Vocabulary

Word	Meaning	Notes
shtëpi / shpi	house, home	shpi = colloquial
do	will / shall	future or intention
bëjmë	we make / do	1st person plural of bëj

▶Grammar & form

Pattern: NOUN + do + VERB(1pl)

• do marks planned future / intention
• bëjmë = “we make/do”
• shtëpi (standard) vs. shpi (slang)

Pronunciation: “Shtëpi do bëjmë” ≈ [ʃtəˈpi dɔ ˈbəjmə]; “Shpi do bëjmë” ≈ [ʃpi dɔ ˈbəjmə]

▶Usage & tone

Literal: planning to build a house.

Figurative/jokey: exaggerating a plan as if it were a huge project.

• Q: Ça do bëjmë sot? — “What are we gonna do today?”
  A: Shpi do bëjmë! — “We’re building a whole house!”

Standard Slang

Current: Standard → Shtëpi do bëjmë

▶Mini quiz

Meaning check: In slang, “Shpi do bëjmë” means…

We’re going to buy bread. We’re doing something big / over-the-top. We went yesterday.

If your browser has an Albanian voice, TTS will sound more natural.

🇦🇱 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!

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