Plural
A1
Albanian plural endings vary, and for many common words the plural just has to be memorised. The definite plural, on the other hand, is easy: add -t or -të.
The most common types
| singular | plural | how | meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| student | studentë | + ë | student |
| shok | shokë | + ë | friend |
| mal | male | + e | mountain |
| libër | libra | -ër → -ra | book |
| vajzë | vajza | -ë → -a | girl |
| shtëpi | shtëpi | no change | house |
| lule | lule | no change | flower |
Irregular plurals — learn them by heart
| singular | plural | def. plural | meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| vëlla | vëllezër | vëllezërit | brother |
| mik | miq | miqtë | friend |
| djalë | djem | djemtë | boy, son |
| njeri | njerëz | njerëzit | person |
| dorë | duar | duart | hand |
| grua | gra | gratë | woman |
| natë | net | netët | night |
| ditë | ditë | ditët | day |
The definite plural
After -ë, -e, -a add -t: studentët, malet, vajzat, librat. After a stressed vowel and many consonants add -të: shtëpitë, gratë, miqtë, djemtë. Some irregular plurals take -it: njerëzit, vëllezërit.
After numbers
After a number always use the indefinite plural: dy libra — "two books", tre djem — "three boys".
Examples
Kam dy vëllezër.
I have two brothers.
Librat janë në tavolinë.
The books are on the table.
Miqtë e mi janë këtu.
My friends are here.
Common mistakes
dy vëllai
✓ dy vëllezër
After a number use the plural, and vëlla has an irregular one.
djalët
✓ djemtë
The plural of djalë is djem, the definite plural is djemtë.
💡 Tip. Note every new noun as a trio: libër — libri — libra. Then you have the gender, the definite form and the plural at once.
🎯 Practise this topic