-t / -it

Definite Plural Masculine

Level 1

In Albanian, 'the' is a suffix attached to the end of a noun. For masculine plural nouns, this suffix is usually -t, -të, or -it.

How It Works

The definite plural masculine indicates a specific group of items or people. Unlike English, where 'the' is a separate word, Albanian uses suffixes fused to the noun. These suffixes are used for the Nominative and Accusative cases.

1. Using the suffix -t:
This suffix is added to plurals ending in -ë, -a, or unstressed -e:

  • libra (books) → librat (the books)
  • yje (stars) → yjet (the stars)
  • burra (men) → burrat (the men)

2. Using the suffix -të:
This suffix is used for plurals ending in -j, -nj, or stressed vowels like -y, -u, and -e, as well as some irregular stems:

  • zogj (birds) → zogjtë (the birds)
  • heronj (heroes) → heronjtë (the heroes)
  • sy (eyes) → sytë (the eyes)
  • djem (boys) → djemtë (the boys)
  • miq (friends) → miqtë (the friends)
  • atashe (attachés) → atashetë (the attachés)

Exception: muaj (months) becomes muajt (the months), with -t.

3. Using the suffix -it:
This suffix is used for most other masculine plurals ending in consonants:

  • Nouns ending in -ër: prindër (parents) → prindërit (the parents)
  • Nouns ending in -ës or -ues: mësues (teachers) → mësuesit (the teachers)
  • Nouns ending in -z: njerëz (people) → njerëzit (the people)
  • Most nouns ending in -q: peshq (fish) → peshqit (the fish)

Important Notes:
• Case Restriction: The suffixes above apply only to the Nominative and Accusative. For the Genitive, Dative, and Ablative, the definite plural suffix changes to -ve (e.g., librave).
• Gender-Shifting Nouns: Some masculine nouns become feminine in the plural (e.g., mal/male). While they still take the -t suffix (malet), they require feminine adjective agreement.

You must first become proficient in the masculine plural ending before you can apply these definite suffixes correctly.

Examples (4)

  1. Librat janë mbi tryezë.

    The books are on the table.

    Word by Word: Books-the are on table.

    'Librat' comes from the plural 'libra'. Since it ends in a vowel, we add -t.

  2. Nxënësit po dëgjojnë mësuesin.

    The pupils are listening to the teacher.

    Word by Word: Pupils-the are listening teacher-the.

    'Nxënësit' is the definite plural of 'nxënës'. Nouns ending in -ës take the -it suffix.

  3. Vëllezërit e mi janë këtu.

    My brothers are here.

    Word by Word: Brothers-the of mine are here.

    'Vëllezërit' comes from the plural 'vëllezër'. Nouns ending in -ër take the -it suffix.

  4. Zogjtë fluturojnë në qiell.

    The birds fly in the sky.

    Word by Word: Birds-the fly in sky.

    'Zogjtë' comes from the plural 'zogj'. Stems ending in -j take the -të suffix.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding the plural suffix to the singular stem instead of the plural stem.

    zogët
    zogjtë

    You must use the plural stem 'zogj' before adding the definite suffix '-të'. Adding it to the singular 'zog' is incorrect.

  • Using -t instead of -it for nouns ending in -ës.

    mësuesët
    mësuesit

    When the indefinite plural ends in -ës or -ues, add -it: nxënës → nxënësit; mësues → mësuesit.

How It Connects

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-t / -itLevel 1Definite Plural Masculine

Learn This First

To learn the definite plural for masculine nouns, you must first understand how to identify masculine nouns and how to form their basic plural stems. Additionally, understanding how the definite article works in the singular will help you grasp the logic of adding definite suffixes to the plural form.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

-t
Sources
  1. Matasović: A Grammatical Sketch of Albanian, sections 4.2.7, 4.4, 4.6
  2. University of Texas: Albanian Online, imperative formation
  3. University Ss. Cyril and Methodius: Albanian phonetics, punojeni epenthesis
  4. Inclusion Europe: Albanian easy-to-read standards, page 22
  5. Nuhi Veselaj: Rreth shquarsisë, masculine stems ending in stressed -e