nuk — the everyday 'not'
nuk goes before the verb (with its clitics) for ordinary negation:
Nuk e kuptoj.
I don't understand.
Nuk e di.
I don't know.
Nuk është problem.
No problem.
Nuk jam i martuar.
I'm not married.
Nuk ndihem mirë.
I don't feel well.
Nuk kam kohë.
I don't have time.
Nuk ha mish.
I don't eat meat.
Nuk ka dhoma të lira.
There are no available rooms.
Nuk ka rrjet.
There's no mobile network.
s' and mos — the other no's
S'ka përse.
You're welcome; don't mention it.
s'ka përse — the fixed reply 'You're welcome / Don't mention it'
Mos u shqetësoni.
Don't worry. (formal / plural)
mos + verb = don't!
Mos u vono!
Don't be late!
Mos harro ombrellën.
Don't forget the umbrella.
Mos u brengos.
Don't worry. (informal)
a — the yes/no switch
A at the front turns a statement into a yes/no question — no word order change needed:
A flisni shqip?
Do you speak Albanian?
A e kuptoni?
Do you understand?
A jeni të martuar?
Are you married?
A doni bukë?
Would you like some bread?
A është shërbimi i përfshirë?
Is service included?
The question words
| Albanian | English |
|---|---|
| kush | who |
| çfarë | what |
| ku | where |
| kur | when |
| pse | why |
| si | how |
| sa | how much; how many |
| cili / cila | which (m./f.) |
Kush jeni ju?
Who are you?
Çfarë është kjo?
What is this?
Ku është banja?
Where is the bathroom?
Ku është stacioni?
Where is the station?
Kur niset autobusi?
When does the bus leave?
Si thuhet kjo shqip?
How do you say this in Albanian?
Sa është ora?
What time is it?
Sa kushton kjo?
How much does this cost?
Cila linjë shkon në qendër?
Which line goes to the center?
What's next
- nuk and s' negate verbs; s'ka = 'there isn't/aren't'; mos + verb = 'don't'.
- A + statement = yes/no question.
- wh-words: kush, çfarë, ku, kur, pse, si, sa, cili/cila.
Next: first real conversations — greetings, introductions, and everyday talk.
Mini practice
Q1. What does “kush” mean?
- what
- who
- where
- when
Answer: who
Q2. How do you say “I don't understand.” in Albanian?
- E kuptoj.
- Nuk e di.
- Nuk e kuptoj.
- Nuk ka rëndësi.
Answer: Nuk e kuptoj.
Q3. Someone says: “S'ka përse.” — what do they mean?
- You're welcome; don't mention it.
- Thank you very much.
- I'm sorry.
- There is a problem.
Answer: You're welcome; don't mention it.
Q4. Which negative word fits a command — 'don't worry'?
- jo
- nuk
- s'
- mos
Answer: mos
Q5. What does “ku” mean?
- when
- where
- why
- what
Answer: where
