Albanian is one of the oldest and most unique languages in the world, something which its speakers are rightfully proud of. As well as in Albania itself, the language is spoken by ethnic Albanians across the world. Those speaking Albanian make up a majority of the population in Kosovo and in parts of Montenegro, Greece, Serbia, and North Macedonia.
Albania itself is one of Europe’s most beautiful yet least-visited countries and is an essential part of any itinerary in the Balkans. Many travellers only make it as far as Tirana, the vibrant and colourful capital city, or the Albanian Riviera with its pristine beaches. Despite this, one could easily spend months exploring Albania’s dramatic mountains, Communist-era remains, Ottoman towns, and unspoiled coastline.
Kosovo, though even less visited than Albania, boasts similarly stunning mountainous landscapes. As Europe’s newest country, it is home to Prishtinë, one of the continent’s youngest and most vibrant capitals, as well as the charming city of Prizren, its cultural capital.
While you can’t be expected to speak the language of every country you visit, learning a few words of the local language will endear you to people anywhere in the world. With this in mind, we hope this guide to the Albanian language will make your trip to Albania smoother and help you to make plenty of new friends!
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What do they speak in Albania?
Albanian, is the official language of Albania and Kosovo, as well as being a semi-official language in North Macedonia. As mentioned, it is a unique and fascinating language that belongs to its own branch within the Indo-European family. It is unrelated to other European languages, which makes it particularly intriguing for language enthusiasts.
The Albanian language has two main dialects: Gheg, which is spoken in the north, and Tosk, spoken in the south. Standard Albanian is based on the Tosk dialect, but both are mutually intelligible.
While many Albanians, especially in urban areas and tourist destinations, speak some level of English, particularly the younger generation. However, exploring more rural areas – which we highly recommend – may prove challenging without a few words of Albanian.
Italian is also widely understood due to historical ties, and older Albanians may know some Serbo-Croatian or Russian as well. German is spoken by the many Albanians (and especially Kosovans) who have spent time in Germany and Switzerland.
How do you say hello in Albanian?
“Përshëndetje!” – This is the formal way to say hello in Albanian. It’s a 5-syllable word pronounced as presh-an-date-ee-yah, so might need to practice saying it! For something more casual, you can use “Tungjatjeta” or simply “Tung!”
How much English do they speak in Albania?
English is becoming increasingly common, particularly in tourist hubs like Tirana, Durrës, and Sarandë. English is now a compulsory subject in Albanian schools, so younger generations are often conversational, with many fluent. However, in smaller towns or villages, you’re less likely to find English speakers. Don’t expect anyone over the age of 30 to speak English, even in Tirana.
Italian is also widely spoken, thanks to Albania’s proximity to Italy and strong cultural influence. In fact, many Albanians grew up (illegally) watching Italian television during the communist period! Additionally, you may encounter older Albanians who know Serbo-Croatian or Russian due to historical links and the nation’s communist past.
What is Albanian written in?
Albanian is written using the Latin alphabet, which makes it far more approachable for English speakers than many other regional languages, which use Cyrillic.
It uses 36 letters, including some unique ones like “ç”, “ë”, and “xh”, which do not sound at all like their English contemporaries. While it may sound unfamiliar at first, Albanian pronunciation is quite consistent, unlike English or French!
What are some Useful Albanian Phrases?
How do you say goodbye in Albanian? Mirupafshim
How do you say thank you in Albanian? Faleminderit
How do you say yes and no in Albanian? Po is Yes, whereas Jo is No.
A note on this. To many Albanians, especially in the South, nodding your head means “no,” whereas shaking your head means “yes.” We’ve learnt this the hard way!
How do you say cheers in Albanian? Gëzuar – like in many countries, it literally means “to your health.”
How do you say Happy New Year in Albanian? Gëzuar Vitin e Ri! New Year is a major holiday in Albania, as it is in many former communist countries.
How to say brother in Albanian? Vëlla. You might also hear “shok” or “mik” for a male friend.
How do you say beer in Albanian? Birrë – this is one of the easier ones to remember!
How do I count in Albanian?
Learning the numbers one to ten is always a good start to any trip!
0 – Zero
1 – Një
2 – Dy
3 – Tre
4 – Katër
5 – Pesë
6 – Gjashtë
7 – Shtatë
8 – Tetë
9 – Nëntë
10 – Dhjetë
The Albanian currency, the Lek, trades at just under 100 to the euro. Therefore, it might be worth learning some larger numbers for shopping.
50 – Pesëdhjetë
100 – Njëqind
200 – Dyqind
500 – Pesëqind
1000 – Një mijë
2000 – Dy mijë
5000 – Pesë mijë
What’s some Albanian slang?
Tung! – We’ve talked about this before. It’s a casual hello, and often used between friends. Think of it as like saying “hi” in English.
Goxha – A very common word meaning “a lot” or “very.” For example: “Është goxha mirë!” (“It’s really good!”).
Ça bëhet? – “What’s up?” This is the informal way to ask how someone is doing.
How can I start speaking Albanian?
Albanians are renowned for their warmth and hospitality, so don’t hesitate to use these phrases! A small effort can go a long way, and you’ll likely make new friends as you explore this beautiful country.
For an authentic experience of Albania’s rich culture and history, we offer a comprehensive tour of the country at least once a year. For Kosovo, we visit twice a year as part of our Ultimate Yugoslavia extravaganza.
However, if you’d prefer a more personalized adventure, we’d be happy to customize a private tour to suit your dates, preferences, and interests. Visit our Albania and Kosovo pages or get in touch with us via email for more details!
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