flitet / thuhet
Impersonal 'Flitet'
Flitet is the Albanian equivalent of 'it is said' or 'there is talk.' It is used to report information or rumors without naming a specific person who said them.
How It Works
In Standard Albanian, flitet is a high-frequency expression used to introduce hearsay, general topics of discussion, or to indicate language usage.
1. Formation:
It is the non-active present indicative form of the verb flas. Note the stem change from the active flas/flet to the non-active flit- before the ending -et.
2. Indicating Languages Spoken:
A core usage of flitet is to state that a specific language is spoken in a place. In this construction, the language name follows the verb directly (e.g., Këtu flitet shqip - Albanian is spoken here). The language name functions adverbially here.
3. Common Syntactic Structures:
- Flitet se...: Used to introduce a rumor or a specific claim (e.g., 'It is rumored that...'). This is usually followed by a subordinating conjunction.
- Flitet për...: Used to identify the topic being discussed (e.g., 'They are talking about...'). This requires the preposition për.
4. Tense and Number:
While most common in the present tense, this impersonal construction can be used in other tenses, such as the imperfect (flitej - it was being said) or the perfect (është folur - it has been spoken). Crucially, the verb remains in the 3rd person singular even if the topics being discussed are plural.
5. Nuance vs. Thuhet:
While thuhet (it is said) often reports a specific fact or statement, flitet implies that a topic is 'in the air' or being debated by a collective group. It carries a stronger sense of 'rumor' or 'ongoing discussion.'
6. Register:
It is used in both informal gossip and formal journalism. In formal contexts, it can also mean 'one cannot speak of' or 'it is not spoken of' when used with negation.
Examples (5)
- Në këtë zyrë flitet shqip dhe anglisht.
Albanian and English are spoken in this office.
Word by Word: In this office it-is-spoken Albanian and English.
This demonstrates the high-frequency use of 'flitet' to indicate which languages are spoken in a specific location.
- Flitet se do të ketë zgjedhje të reja së shpejti.
It is rumored that there will be new elections soon.
Word by Word: It-is-spoken that will have elections new soon.
Here, 'flitet se' introduces a rumor about a future event using the future tense.
- Në qytet flitet shumë për këtë ngjarje.
There is a lot of talk in the city about this event.
Word by Word: In city it-is-spoken much for this event.
This uses 'flitet për' to identify the specific subject of the public discussion.
- Për këtë temë nuk mund të flitet me saktësi.
One cannot speak with certainty about this topic.
Word by Word: For this theme not can to it-be-spoken with accuracy.
A formal usage combined with the modal verb mund to express a general impossibility.
- Flitet se ata janë ndarë.
It is being said that they have broken up.
Word by Word: It-is-spoken that they are separated.
A common way to introduce social gossip or unverified news.
Common Mistakes
Using a dummy subject like 'ajo' (it).
Ajo flitet se ai po vjen.Flitet se ai po vjen.Albanian impersonal verbs do not require a dummy subject like 'it' in English. Adding 'ajo' makes the sentence grammatically incorrect.
Using the active voice 'flet' for impersonal reports.
Flet se do të bjerë shi.Flitet se do të bjerë shi.The active form 'flet' requires a specific subject (he/she speaks). To say 'it is said' generally, you must use the non-active 'flitet'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the impersonal use of 'flitet', learners must first be familiar with the non-active voice in Albanian, specifically how verbs change their endings to indicate passive or impersonal meanings. Additionally, knowledge of basic verb stems and how to link these reporting verbs to clauses using subordinating conjunctions is essential.
- -em / -esh / -etNon-active Present Endings
The impersonal 'flitet' is a specific application of the non-active present tense endings (3rd person singular).
Level 2 - se / qëConjunctions 'Se' and 'Që'
Impersonal reporting verbs like 'flitet' (it is said/spoken) are frequently followed by 'se' or 'që' to introduce the reported statement.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- duhetImpersonal 'Duhet'
Both are impersonal constructions, though 'duhet' expresses necessity while 'flitet' expresses hearsay.
Level 2 - përPreposition 'Për'
The preposition 'për' is used with 'flitet' to indicate the topic being discussed.
Foundations - mund / duhetModal Verbs 'Mund' and 'Duhet'
Modal verbs like 'mund' are often paired with 'flitet' in formal or academic writing.
Level 1
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