Body Parts

1. kokë

   Head

   Usage

   Show it at a clinic and point to your head; a headache is "Kam dhimbje koke" from the Health & Hospital category

   Grammar Note

   The indefinite form; the definite is "koka". Albanian suffixes its definite article

2. flokë

   Hair

   Usage

   Used at a salon or barber; "Dua të pres flokët" is "I want a haircut"

   Grammar Note

   Normally plural; the singular "fllok" is a single strand

3. fytyrë

   Face

   Usage

   Use it to mark a treatment area at a spa, or to show a skin problem to a doctor

4. sy

   Eye

   Usage

   Point to it for pain or redness, or to ask for eye drops — "pika për sytë"

   Grammar Note

   Definite "syri"; the definite plural is "sytë"

5. vesh

   Ear

   Usage

   Use it for ear trouble after a flight or a dive. It looks close to "veshkë", the kidney, so point as you show it

6. hundë

   Nose

   Usage

   Point to it at a pharmacy for a blocked nose or a nosebleed

7. gojë

   Mouth

   Usage

   Use it for an ulcer or any pain inside the mouth

   Grammar Note

   Definite "goja"; a lip is the separate word "buzë"

8. dhëmb

   Tooth

   Usage

   Show it at the dentist while pointing; toothache is "dhimbje dhëmbi" and the dentist a "dentist"

   Grammar Note

   The plural is "dhëmbë"

9. gjuhë

   Tongue

   Usage

   For a sore or a burn on the tongue. The same word means "language", so point at your tongue to be clear

10. qafë

    Neck

    Usage

    Albanian separates the outside of the neck ("qafë") from the throat inside ("fyt"); use this one for a stiff neck

11. fyt

    Throat

    Usage

    For a sore throat — "Më dhemb fyti" is all a pharmacy needs

12. sup

    Shoulder

    Usage

    Point to it to ask a masseur to focus there; it is distinct from "krah", the arm

13. krah

    Arm

    Usage

    Albanian keeps the arm ("krah") apart from the hand ("dorë"); use it to show where you were hurt

14. bërryl

    Elbow

    Usage

    A common place for grazes — point to it after a bike spill

15. kyçi i dorës

    Wrist

    Usage

    Literally "the joint of the hand", used for a sprain

16. dorë

    Hand

    Usage

    Use it to show an injury or the area to be treated at a nail salon

    Grammar Note

    Definite "dora"; the plural is "duar"

17. gisht

    Finger / Toe

    Usage

    One word for fingers and toes; say "gisht i dorës" or "gisht i këmbës" to distinguish

18. thua

    Nail

    Usage

    Use it at a nail salon or to show an ingrown nail

    Grammar Note

    The plural is "thonj"

19. gjoks

    Chest

    Usage

    Point to it for chest pain or tightness — urgent, so show it early

20. bark

    Belly / Abdomen

    Usage

    The key word for food trouble: "Më dhemb barku" — my stomach hurts

21. stomak

    Stomach (organ)

    Usage

    The organ, as against the everyday "bark" for the belly; ask a pharmacy for "diçka për stomakun"

22. shpinë

    Back

    Usage

    Use it to direct a massage or to show where the pain is

23. mes

    Lower back / Waist

    Usage

    Both the lower back and the waistline: "Më dhemb mesi" — my lower back hurts

24. këmbë

    Leg / Foot

    Usage

    Albanian "këmbë" runs from thigh to toes and does not separate leg from foot, so point to the exact spot

    Grammar Note

    Definite "këmba"; the definite plural is "këmbët"

25. kofshë

    Thigh

    Usage

    Point to it for sore muscles after a long descent or a hike

26. gju

    Knee

    Usage

    The classic complaint coming down from the Albanian Alps between Theth and Valbona, and for showing a fall injury

    Grammar Note

    Definite "gjuri"; the plural is "gjunjë"

27. kyçi i këmbës

    Ankle

    Usage

    Literally "the joint of the leg", for a sprain — built the same way as "kyçi i dorës", the wrist

28. lëkurë

    Skin

    Usage

    Use it at a pharmacy for bites, sunburn or a rash — the same word as in "skuqje e lëkurës" in the Health & Hospital category

29. kockë

    Bone

    Usage

    For a suspected break; pair it with "thyerje kocke" from the Health & Hospital category

30. gjak

    Blood

    Usage

    For bleeding or a blood test — the same word behind "gjakderdhje" and "presion i lartë i gjakut" in the Health & Hospital category

31. zemër

    Heart

    Usage

    For palpitations or a long-term condition; pair it with "sëmundje e zemrës" from the Health & Hospital category

    Grammar Note

    Definite "zemra"; it also serves as a term of endearment

32. mushkëri

    Lung

    Usage

    For a cough, breathlessness or asthma; pair it with "astmë" from the Health & Hospital category

33. mëlçi

    Liver

    Usage

    Use it with a doctor about a liver condition or your medication; for full clarity say "mëlçi e zezë", the black one

34. zorrë

    Intestine

    Usage

    Use it with a doctor for lasting diarrhoea or abdominal trouble

    Grammar Note

    The plural looks the same as the singular; the definite plural is "zorrët"

35. veshkë

    Kidney

    Usage

    For a kidney condition or pain in your side. It is close to "vesh", the ear, so keep the final "-kë" when you write it out

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