Slang

1. Ç'kemi

   Hey, how's it going?

   Usage

   Literally "what do we have?" — the standard casual greeting in Albania, for friends, colleagues and peers. With an older stranger use "Përshëndetje" or "Mirëdita" from the Greetings category

2. Tung

   Hi / Bye

   Usage

   A clipped form of the old greeting "tungjatjeta", "long life to you", used both on meeting and parting. Everyday speech for younger people; formal settings call for "Mirupafshim"

3. Hajde

   Come on / Let's go

   Usage

   A Turkish-derived word shared across the Balkans, used both to urge someone along and as a parting "right then". It hurries the listener, so avoid it with elders

4. More

   Hey there (vocative particle)

   Usage

   A particle that makes an address familiar, often shortened to "mor". Close friends only — with staff, an elder or a stranger it sounds over-familiar

5. Vëlla

   Bro

   Usage

   Used for a close male friend of the same age, related or not; northern Gheg speakers shorten it to "vlla". Not for strangers, elders, or women

6. Dakord

   Agreed / OK

   Usage

   From the French "d'accord", a one-word "understood". Safe and polite with anyone

7. S'ka gjë

   It's nothing

   Usage

   Literally "there is nothing" — a reply to an apology or a shrug at a mishap. Safe with anyone, though "Është në rregull" from the Basic Words category is politer in formal settings

8. Mos ki merak

   Don't worry

   Usage

   "Merak" is a Turkish-derived word for anxiety, so this is "have no worry". For people you know; with an elder, "Mos u shqetësoni" is politer

9. Shyqyr

   Thank goodness

   Usage

   A Turkish-derived word, religious in origin but now an everyday exclamation of relief used regardless of faith. Fine with anyone in speech, though rare in writing

10. Gjynah

    What a shame

    Usage

    Turkish-derived, covering both sympathy and waste — the response to someone's bad luck. Fine with anyone, but say it once: repeated at the person it starts to sound like pity

11. Inshallah

    Hopefully

    Usage

    Arabic in origin, but in Albania an everyday "let's hope so" used regardless of religion. For conversation with friends; in formal or written contexts use "Shpresoj"

12. Kot

    Just because / Pointless

    Usage

    A catch-all colloquial for both "for no particular reason" and "a waste": "Po rri kot" is "I'm just hanging about". For chat among peers — calling someone's work "kot" is rude, so keep it to your own doings

13. Sa bukur

    How lovely

    Usage

    Literally "how beautiful", for scenery, food and photographs alike. Safe with anyone, and a natural way to praise a host's home or cooking

14. Gëzuar

    Cheers / Congratulations

    Usage

    Literally "rejoiced", it serves as both a toast and a congratulation; the new year is "Gëzuar Vitin e Ri". Safe with anyone

15. Rri urtë

    Behave yourself

    Usage

    Literally "sit quietly", also used lightly at a parting as "take care now". Only with children or close friends — with an elder or a stranger it lands as a rude order

16. Në rregull

    All right

    Usage

    Literally "in order", used both to agree and to say you are fine. A short form of "Është në rregull" in the Basic Words category, safe with anyone

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