Learning Albanian is not only about grammar rules and new words but also a great opportunity to emerge into an old millennium culture, which is still some sort of a mystery for the rest of the world. What better way to do that than learning some of the most well-known Albanian proverbs to learn more about the nation’s mentality and spirit?
Below you will find 20 Albanian proverbs that will help you with your daily language practice and gain some new wisdom that can even change how you live your life.
1- Më mirë shëndet, se mbret. – Best to have health than to be a king.
Health is priceless and more valuable than money and power. What’s the point of wearing a golden crown if you are sick and dying, right?
2- Kush di më së shumti, flet më së pakti.– Who knows the most, speaks the least.
According to the Albanian mentality, speaking less and having an overall calm demeanor is a sign of great wisdom.
3- Jeto sikur do vdesësh nesër dhe mëso sikur do jetosh gjithmonë – Live as you will die tomorrow and learn as you will live forever.
This is a lesson for the ages. Do I need to say more?
4- Dëgjo shtatë a tetë. e bëj si di vetë – Listen to seven or eight people, and do as you know best.
You should always be open to receiving advice or constructive criticism, but at the end of the day, it’s important to make your own decision in life. It’s not healthy to let the fear of making a mistake or peer pressure stop you from fully experiencing life throughout all of the ups and downs.
5- Gjuha kocka s’ka, e kocka bluan – The tongue doesn’t have bones but can crush bones.
Words are powerful and impact other people’s lives, so you should always be careful about what you say.
6- Pema më e ëmbël është ajo që vjel me duart e tuaja. – The sweetest tree is the one you sow with your hands.
Nothing better than enjoying the fruit of your labor. Albanian culture values and respects hardworking people.
7- Qeni që leh, nuk kafshon. – The dog that barks too much doesn’t bite.
This means that people who talk too much or try to harm you by insulting or talking ill of you will never impact your life as long as you ignore them.
8- Shtëpia e shqiptarit është e mikut dhe e Zotit. – The house of Albanians belongs to their guests and God.
Hospitality is the cornerstone of Albanian culture. It doesn’t matter if the guest is a total stranger that does not speak the language, a dear friend, or even an enemy; an Albanian will always open the doors of his house for the one who knocks on it. Did you know that Albania is the only country in Europe that had more Jews at the end of WW2 than before the war started? Despite being invaded by Italians and then Germans, Albanians saved all the Jews that came asking for help and protection. Because they were considered guests, Albanians refused to surrender Jews to the Nazis as that would be considered a dishonor that would bring great shame upon the hosting families, even though this meant risking their own lives. Nowadays, Albania is the only European country with a WW2 memorial of life honoring the Jews that lived, thanks to Albanian hospitality.
9 – Gur, gur bëhet kalaja. – Stone after stone, you can build a castle.
This shows how hard work, patience, and resilience can have great, long-term benefits.
10- I mençuri nuk i thotë të birit mos gabo, por gabo sa më pak. – The wise man doesn’t tell his child never make a mistake; he says make as little mistakes as possible.
This is used to show the need for understanding and patience for parents towards their children. It is unrealistic to expect perfection, and mistakes are also part of life.
11-Fjalët i merr era, veprat ngelen. – The words are lost in the wind, but the deeds remain.
It’s important to always back up your words with aligned actions to show how much you mean what you say. How else will others believe you if you don’t practice what you preach?
12 – Kërkoi e gjet, siç shtroi e fjet – He found what he was looking for, just like he slept in the bed he made.
This is similar to the English proverb “you made your bed, now lie in it,” meaning that people should be mature enough to deal with the consequences of their own actions.
13- Mëson nga armiku, më shumë se nga miku – You learn from the enemy more than you learn from your friend.
Kind of cynical but true. If you have a sworn enemy, you can pick up some important things about your own character. Your enemy might hate you, but one thing is for sure; they will never sugar-coat the truth.
14 – Pa pasur dituri, nuk bëhet njeriu, njeri. – Without attaining knowledge, no one can become fully human.
This shows how vital it is for every man and woman to seek knowledge and education throughout their lifetime so that everyone can improve themselves and become the best version they can be.
15- Nëse më mashtron njëherë e ke fajin ti, nëse më mashtron për herë të dytë e kam fajin unë. – If you deceive me the first time, it’s your fault, but if you deceive me for the second time, it’s my fault.
This is very similar to the English expression “fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.”
16 – Rrugën për te miku mos e lër të zejë bar – Don’t let the road to your friend be covered with grass.
This is meant to show how important it is to nourish your friendships so that they can last long.
17 – Ujku mjergull kërkon – The wolf seeks the mist.
Deceiving people have no problem with lying and tricking others as long as they get their own ways. This is meant as a warning to stay vigilant to others’ true intentions, especially if you have a reason not to trust them.
18 – Nuk u lodhe sot, do mundohesh mot. – If you don’t work today, you will suffer next year.
No pain, no gains. Often in life, we must choose what is hard to do today so that the future will be easier.
19 – Gënjeshtra i ka këmbët e shkurtra – The lie has short feets.
What is hidden in the dark will always come to light. This proverb is meant as a warning for the consequences that lies have in people’s life.
20 – Fjala e mirë i çel dyert e hekurit – Kind words open the iron gates.
It’s meant to show how genuine kindness can take you far in life. Good people always win in the end!
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