mjaft

Degree Particle 'Mjaft'

Level 5

Mjaft is a versatile adverb of degree and indefinite pronoun in Standard Albanian. It functions as a moderate-to-high intensifier, sitting between pak (a little) and shumë (very). While it can mean 'enough', it is most frequently used to mean 'quite' or 'rather'.

How It Works

In Standard Albanian (gjuha letrare), mjaft serves four primary roles:

  • Modifying Adjectives: It precedes the linking article and the adjective. Example: mjaft i mirë (quite good).
  • Modifying Adverbs: It precedes the adverb to indicate a significant degree. Example: mjaft shpejt (quite fast).
  • Modifying Nouns: It acts as an indefinite pronoun (determiner) meaning 'enough' or 'quite a few'. It precedes the noun directly without a linking article. Example: mjaft libra (enough/quite a few books).
  • Modifying Verbs: It follows the verb to indicate that an action was performed to a sufficient or considerable extent. Example: punoi mjaft (he worked enough/quite a bit).

To become proficient in formal Albanian, using mjaft instead of the more common shumë (very) is recommended. It is particularly common in journalism to avoid hyperbole while still emphasizing a quality.

Examples (5)

  1. Ky problem është mjaft i ndërlikuar.

    This problem is quite complicated.

    Word by Word: This problem is quite [linking article] complicated.

    Here, 'mjaft' functions as an adverb of degree modifying the adjective 'i ndërlikuar'. Note that it precedes the linking article.

  2. Ajo e flet gjuhën shqipe mjaft rrjedhshëm.

    She speaks the Albanian language quite fluently.

    Word by Word: She it speaks language Albanian quite fluently.

    'Mjaft' is used here as an adverb to intensify the adverb of manner 'rrjedhshëm' (fluently).

  3. Kemi diskutuar mjaft për këtë çështje.

    We have discussed this matter quite a bit.

    Word by Word: We-have discussed enough for this matter.

    When modifying a verb, 'mjaft' follows the verb and indicates a sufficient or considerable extent of the action.

  4. Mjaft njerëz morën pjesë në mbledhje.

    Quite a few people took part in the meeting.

    Word by Word: Enough people took part in meeting.

    In this case, 'mjaft' acts as an indefinite pronoun/determiner modifying the noun 'njerëz'. Unlike adjectives, nouns in this construction do not require a linking article.

  5. Ishte një ditë mjaft e ftohtë.

    It was a rather cold day.

    Word by Word: Was a day quite [linking article] cold.

    In this context, 'mjaft' provides a measured intensity, suggesting the day was notably cold but perhaps not extremely so.

Common Mistakes

  • Placing 'mjaft' after the adjective (English word order).

    Ky libër është i mirë mjaft.
    Ky libër është mjaft i mirë.

    In English, we say 'good enough', but in Albanian, the intensifier 'mjaft' must precede the adjective and its linking article.

  • Using 'shumë' (very) when you mean 'quite'.

    Different MeaningFilmi ishte shumë interesant.
    Filmi ishte mjaft interesant.

    'Filmi ishte shumë interesant' is a good sentence, but it means 'very interesting'. To say 'quite' or 'fairly interesting', use 'mjaft'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

mjaftLevel 5Degree Particle 'Mjaft'

Learn This First

To use the degree particle 'mjaft' (meaning 'quite' or 'sufficiently'), learners need to be comfortable with how adjectives are structured in Albanian, specifically the use of link particles (i/e) and their position relative to nouns. It also requires a basic understanding of how adverbs of quantity function to modify other parts of speech.

Words in This Pattern

mjaft