por
Conjunction 'Por'
Por is the most common way to say 'but' in Albanian. It connects two ideas that contrast with each other, whether they are single words or entire sentences.
How It Works
The conjunction por is a foundational tool for building complex thoughts in Albanian. Here is how it works:
- Mandatory Punctuation: Unlike in English, you must always place a comma before por. For example: i vogël, por i fortë (small, but strong).
- Direct Contrast: It is used to show a contradiction. If you are simply comparing two different things without a contradiction (e.g., 'I am tall, while he is short'), use kurse or ndërsa instead.
- The 'po' Variant: In many texts and daily speech, you will see po used as a synonym for por. Do not confuse this with the po used for 'yes' or to mark ongoing actions.
- Correlative Use: It is often paired with other words to create specific structures, most notably in the pattern jo vetëm... por edhe... (not only... but also...).
Examples (4)
- Ajo është e zgjuar, por shumë e turpshme.
She is smart, but very shy.
Word by Word: She is [linking-article] smart, but very [linking-article] shy.
Notice the comma before 'por' because it connects two descriptive phrases about the subject.
- Dua të vij me ju, por nuk kam kohë.
I want to come with you, but I don't have time.
Word by Word: [I] want to come with you, but not [I] have time.
Here 'por' connects two full clauses. The first part uses the subjunctive mood (të vij), and the second uses negation.
- Ai nuk është mjek, por infermier.
He is not a doctor, but a nurse.
Word by Word: He not is doctor, but nurse.
This shows a direct contrast between two nouns using the verb jam.
- Libri është i vjetër, por shumë interesant.
The book is old, but very interesting.
Word by Word: The-book is [linking-article] old, but very interesting.
A simple contrast between two adjectives describing a definite masculine noun.
Common Mistakes
Leaving out the comma before 'por'.
Ai është i lodhur por i lumtur.Ai është i lodhur, por i lumtur.A comma before 'por' is the usual punctuation, as the right sentence shows.
Using 'por' for a plain comparison, where 'kurse' or 'ndërsa' fits better.
Different MeaningUnë jam mësues, por ai është mjek.Unë jam mësues, kurse ai është mjek.The sentence with 'por' is fine, but 'por' sets the two parts against each other as a contrast. To simply compare two people or actions side by side, 'kurse' or 'ndërsa' (while, whereas) sounds more natural.
Leaving out the comma before 'po' when it means 'but'.
Dua të vij po nuk kam kohë.Dua të vij, po nuk kam kohë.In speech and literature, 'po' is often used as a short form of 'por' (but). Like 'por', it normally takes a comma before it. Do not confuse it with po meaning 'yes' or marking an action in progress.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- dheConjunction 'Dhe'
'Dhe' is the additive counterpart (and), whereas 'por' is the adversative counterpart (but).
Foundations - oseConjunction 'Ose'
Both are coordinating conjunctions; 'ose' provides an alternative (or), while 'por' provides a contrast.
Foundations - nukNegation with 'Nuk'
'Por' is frequently used after a negative statement with 'nuk' to provide the correct alternative.
Foundations - jo vetëm... por edheComplex Correlative 'Jo Vetëm... Por Edhe...'
This specific pattern uses 'por' to build the 'but also' part of the comparison.
Level 5 - pseQuestion Word: Pse
Learners sometimes confuse these due to the similar starting sound, but 'pse' asks for a reason (why) while 'por' shows contrast.
Foundations
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice por in Bubblegum
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