1. Ke para sysh? – An informal expression like “Do you feel me/understand?” Literally “Do you have it in front of your eyes?”
2. O sa mirë! – Means “Oh, how cool!”
3. Me sa duket… - Means “Apparently…” So many useful applications! You can imagine.
4. Rrofsh (sa malet)! – An expression of thanks! Literally means “Long life! / May you live as long as the mountains!”
5. O bo bo! – Expression of shock and dismay. Like George Takei’s famous expression “Oh myyyyyyy!”
6. Lezetshëm! – “Cute / how cute!” It’s fun to say. In my region (Eastern Albania) we say it like this: “Le-zeeeehhh-tshëm!”
7. Çdo pyll ka derra. – “Every forest has pigs” – Used in response to the common question I get – “Which is better, America or Albania?” One can easily infer the meaning.
8. Gur gur behët mur. Mur mur behët kalaja. – Literally “Stone by stone makes a wall. Wall by wall makes a castle.” Used to show that great endeavors take time.
9. Kujto mikun, bëj gati petaniku! – Expression for when you haven’t seen someone for a while. “Look out friend, I am making ready the pie!” A petanik is a deep, heavy byrek, often made in the Korçë region.
10. Ncuk! – Less of a phrase and more of a kind of quick sucking noice to denote ‘no’ (like your grandmother “tutting” you). Useful when declining offers to get a taxi or furgon ride somewhere.
11. Thikë ka dy presa. – The Albanian version of a “double-edged sword.” Literal meaning is “a knife has two blades.”
12. Kismet! – Often said in response to “why aren’t you married yet?!” Means ‘fate’ or ‘destiny.’ Gets you out of this awkward question pretty fast. Very useful.
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