gjithfarë

Indefinite 'Gjithfarë'

Level 4

Gjithfarë is a formal quantifier used to express a wide, diverse, or even chaotic variety of things ('all kinds of'). It is indeclinable and always precedes an indefinite plural noun ending in -sh.

How It Works

The indefinite pronoun gjithfarë is a staple of standard and literary Albanian. To use it correctly, you must follow three specific rules:

  • Position: It always comes before the noun it modifies.
  • Case Requirement: The noun following it must be in the indefinite plural ablative case, which almost always ends in the suffix -sh.
  • Invariability: The word gjithfarë itself never changes its form, regardless of the gender or case of the rest of the sentence.

While it is common in journalism and literature, in casual speech, Albanians often substitute it with the reduplicated form lloj-lloj. However, gjithfarë remains the standard choice for formal writing and precise expression of heterogeneity.

Examples (4)

  1. Gjithfarë sendesh ishin shpërndarë nëpër dhomë.

    All sorts of things were scattered around the room.

    Word by Word: All-sorts of-things were scattered through room.

    Note how 'sende' (things) takes the -sh ending required by 'gjithfarë'.

  2. Ai përdori gjithfarë mjetesh për ta arritur qëllimin.

    He used all kinds of means to achieve the goal.

    Word by Word: He used all-sorts of-means for it to-reach the-goal.

    Here, 'mjetesh' is the plural indefinite ablative of 'mjet' (tool/means).

  3. Në treg shiteshin gjithfarë lulesh të bukura.

    All sorts of beautiful flowers were being sold at the market.

    Word by Word: In market were-sold all-sorts of-flowers [linking-article] beautiful.

    Even when adjectives are present, the noun 'lule' must still take the -sh ending.

  4. Dëgjuam gjithfarë zhurmash gjatë natës.

    We heard all kinds of noises during the night.

    Word by Word: We-heard all-sorts of-noises during the-night.

    The noun 'zhurmë' (noise) becomes 'zhurmash' in the plural indefinite ablative.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the nominative plural instead of the ablative case.

    gjithfarë sende
    gjithfarë sendesh

    Gjithfarë strictly requires the noun to end in -sh (the indefinite plural ablative).

  • Using a definite noun after the quantifier.

    gjithfarë sendet
    gjithfarë sendesh

    Quantifiers like gjithfarë are used to describe 'kinds' in general, so the noun must remain indefinite.

  • Attempting to decline 'gjithfarë' itself.

    i gjithfarësh sendesh
    gjithfarë sendesh

    Gjithfarë is an indeclinable word; it does not take prefixes or suffixes to match the noun.

How It Connects

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gjithfarëLevel 4Indefinite 'Gjithfarë'

Learn This First

The indefinite pronoun 'gjithfarë' is used to express 'all sorts of' or 'every kind of'. To use it correctly, learners should understand how to form plural nouns and be familiar with other indefinite modifiers and interrogatives that categorize types or kinds of things.