u + Optative
Non-active Optative Present
The Non-active Optative Present is the 'wish' mood for actions happening to the subject or by the subject to themselves. It is most famous for the birthday blessing: U bëfsh 100 vjeç!
How It Works
The Non-active Optative Present (Mënyra dëshirore, trajta pësore-vetvetore) is a specialized verb form in Standard Albanian used for wishes, blessings, and curses.
1. Formation
To form this mood, place the particle u before the active optative form. Note the two main stem variations:
- Vowel Stems: Use the standard markers -fsha, -fsh, -ftë. Example: u bëfsh (may you become).
- Consonant Stems: Verbs ending in a consonant do not take the -f- marker. Example: u rritsh (may you grow up/be raised) or u kënaqsh (may you be pleased), rather than *u rritfsh.
2. Usage and Nuance
This form is primarily used for:
- Blessings (Urime): Ritualistic wishes for health or success. Example: U bëfsh njëqind vjeç! (May you become one hundred years old!)
- Curses (Mallkime): Invoking negative outcomes. Example: U shoftë! (May it be extinguished/destroyed!)
- Reflexive/Passive Wishes: Wishing an action happens to the subject. Example: U pafsh mirë! (May you be seen well/in good health!)
3. Negation and Compound Tenses
To negate a wish, use the particle mos before the particle u. Never use nuk or s' with the optative mood. Example: Mos u bëftë! (May it not happen!)
For completed actions or states, Albanian uses the Non-active Optative Perfect, formed analytically with the auxiliary jam in the optative (e.g., qofsh bekuar - may you be blessed).
Examples (5)
- U bëfsh 100 vjeç!
May you become 100 years old!
Word by Word: Be-become-you 100 years
The most common birthday greeting in Albanian, using the non-active optative of 'bëj' (to make/do) to mean 'to become'.
- U pafshim sa më shpejt!
May we be seen [by each other] as soon as possible!
Word by Word: Be-seen-we as more fast
A common way to say 'Hope to see you soon' using the reciprocal sense of the non-active optative.
- U shofsh!
May you be extinguished!
Word by Word: Be-extinguished-you
A strong traditional curse, literally wishing for someone to 'be seen no more' or 'be blinded'.
- Mos u harroftë kurrë kjo ditë!
May this day never be forgotten!
Word by Word: Not be-forgotten never this day
Demonstrates the use of 'mos' for negation and the passive sense of the optative.
- U kënaqsh në pushime!
May you enjoy yourself on vacation!
Word by Word: Be-pleased-you in vacations
A reflexive use where the subject is the one experiencing the pleasure/satisfaction.
Common Mistakes
Omitting the 'u' particle in blessings.
Bëfsh 100 vjeç!U bëfsh 100 vjeç!Without 'u', the verb is active. 'Bëfsh' means 'May you make/do', whereas 'U bëfsh' means 'May you become', which is required for age.
Using 'nuk' instead of 'mos' for negation.
Nuk u bëftë!Mos u bëftë!The optative mood, like the imperative and subjunctive, requires 'mos' for negation.
Confusing the optative with the non-active aorist.
Different MeaningU lave!U lafsh!'U lave' is a good sentence, but it is the past tense (you washed yourself). To express a wish, use the optative ending -fsh: 'U lafsh!'
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the Non-active Optative Present, a learner must first be familiar with the basic Optative mood used for wishes. Additionally, they need to understand how the particle 'u' functions to create non-active (reflexive or passive) meanings in Albanian verbs.
- -fsha / -fsh / -ftëOptative Mood: Wishes
The non-active optative is built upon the basic optative mood used for expressing wishes and desires.
Level 2 - Non-active Present with 'u'
The non-active optative present uses the particle 'u' to indicate the non-active voice, similar to its use in the present and aorist indicative.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- të + VerbThe Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive is often used in modern speech to replace the optative for general desires.
Level 1 - mosProhibitive Negation 'Mos'
The specific negation particle required for all 'wish' and 'command' moods in Albanian.
Level 1 - u + AoristNon-active Aorist
A similar-looking past tense form that also uses the particle 'u' but with different endings.
Level 2 - të marrtë e mira / mos u bëftëOptative for Curses
Focuses specifically on the use of the optative mood for negative invocations.
Level 4
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