-shëm / -shme
Adjectives in -shëm/-shme
The suffix -shëm (masculine) and -shme (feminine) is a powerful tool in Albanian to turn other words into adjectives. It is similar to English suffixes like -able, -ly, or -al.
How It Works
The -shëm/-shme suffix is one of the most productive ways to expand your Albanian vocabulary. These are articulated adjectives (mbiemra të nyjshëm), meaning they must always be preceded by a linking article. It functions in four primary ways:
- From Nouns: It creates adjectives describing a characteristic. For example, natyrë (nature) becomes i natyrshëm (natural).
- From Verbs: It often adds a sense of possibility or capability, similar to '-able'. For example, besoj (to believe) becomes i besueshëm (believable/trustworthy).
- From Adverbs: It creates temporal or locational adjectives. For example, sot (today) becomes i sotshëm (today's).
- From Prepositions: It forms adjectives indicating position. For example, brenda (inside) becomes i brendshëm (internal/inner).
Morphological Rules:
1. Gender: Use -shëm for masculine nouns and -shme for feminine nouns.
2. Plural: The suffix remains identical to its respective singular gender form in the plural. This means the masculine plural remains të ...shëm and the feminine plural remains të ...shme. Only the linking article të (or e for definite plurals) changes.
3. Stress: For simple stems, the stress falls on the syllable immediately preceding the suffix (e.g., na-TYR-shëm). However, for verbal derivatives ending in -ueshëm or -yeshëm, the stress falls on the u or y (e.g., be-SÚ-e-shëm, pël-QÝ-e-shëm).
4. Negation: You can easily form negative adjectives by adding the prefix pa- (meaning 'un-' or 'in-'). For example, i besueshëm (believable) becomes i pabesueshëm (unbelievable).
5. Adverbial Use: The standard way to form adverbs from these adjectives is to use the masculine singular form without the linking article. For example, natyrshëm means 'naturally'.
6. Stem Changes: Stems ending in -ë usually drop it before adding the suffix (e.g., kohë → i kohshëm). Verbs ending in -oj often change to -ueshëm (e.g., shikoj → i shikueshëm), while verbs ending in -ej often take the variant -yeshëm (e.g., pëlqej → i pëlqyeshëm).
Examples (5)
- Kjo është një zgjidhje e mundshme.
This is a possible solution.
Word by Word: This is a solution (linking article) possible.
Derived from the verb 'mund' (can/to be able), 'e mundshme' describes the possibility of the solution.
- Ai është një njeri shumë i rëndësishëm.
He is a very important person.
Word by Word: He is a person very (linking article) important.
Derived from 'rëndësi' (importance). Note how the final 'i' is dropped and replaced by 'i...shëm'.
- Gazeta e sotshme është mbi tavolinë.
Today's newspaper is on the table.
Word by Word: Newspaper-the (linking article) of-today is on table.
Derived from the adverb 'sot' (today). It uses the feminine linking article e to agree with the definite noun 'gazeta'.
- Uji i pijshëm është i pastër.
The drinking water is clean.
Word by Word: Water-the (linking article) drinkable is (linking article) clean.
Derived from the verb 'pi' (to drink), indicating that the water is 'drinkable'.
- Kjo është një ngjarje e jashtëzakonshme.
This is an extraordinary event.
Word by Word: This is an event (linking article) extraordinary.
A compound adjective using 'jashtë' (outside) and 'zakon' (custom/habit) to mean 'out of the ordinary'.
Common Mistakes
Omitting the linking article before the adjective.
Ai është njeri rëndësishëm.Ai është njeri i rëndësishëm.Adjectives ending in -shëm/-shme are 'articulated adjectives' and always require a linking article (i, e, të, së) to connect to the noun.
Using the masculine suffix for a feminine noun.
një vajzë e mirësishëmnjë vajzë e mirësishmeYou must match the suffix to the gender of the noun: -shëm for masculine and -shme for feminine.
'I besuar' and 'i besueshëm' mean different things.
Different MeaningLibri është i besuar.Libri është i besueshëm.I besuar is a good adjective meaning 'trusted' or 'entrusted' (someone has already trusted it). I besueshëm means 'trustworthy' or 'believable' (it can be trusted).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To form adjectives using the -shëm/-shme suffix, learners must first understand the system of linking particles (i/e) and how adjectives agree in gender with nouns. Familiarity with the vowel 'ë' is also necessary as it is a core component of the suffix.
- Adjective Gender Agreement
The suffix changes between -shëm (masculine) and -shme (feminine), requiring knowledge of how adjectives agree with the gender of the noun they modify.
Level 1 - ëThe Vowel Ë
The suffix contains the vowel 'ë', and understanding its pronunciation and role in word endings is essential for correct formation.
Foundations
Related Patterns
- i / eAdjective Link Particles
These adjectives always require these linking articles to agree with the noun.
Foundations - -uesActive Participial Adjectives in '-ues'
Another common adjective suffix derived from verbs, often used for active qualities.
Level 5 - -oreRelational Adjectives in '-ore'
A suffix used for relational adjectives, which can sometimes be confused with -shëm.
Level 5 - i / e + ParticipleParticiple as Adjective
Explains how verbs become adjectives through the participle, providing a contrast to the -shëm potential meaning.
Level 3 - Noun-Adjective Order
Explains where to place these adjectives in relation to the noun they modify.
Foundations
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Patterns that build on this one.
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Practice -shëm / -shme in Bubblegum
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