-em / -esh / -et

Non-active Present Endings

Level 2

The non-active present (forma joveprore) uses specific endings attached to the verb stem to show that an action is done to the subject (passive), by the subject to themselves (reflexive), or between subjects (reciprocal).

How It Works

The non-active present is a synthetic form, meaning the voice is built into the verb ending itself. It serves five main functions:

  • Reflexive: The subject performs the action on themselves (e.g., vishem - I get dressed).
  • Passive: The subject receives the action from an agent (e.g., lexohet - it is read).
  • Reciprocal: Used in plural forms to show mutual action (e.g., takohemi - we meet each other).
  • Anticausative: Spontaneous actions without a clear agent (e.g., dritarja hapet - the window opens).
  • Impersonal/Modal: Expresses possibility or general states (e.g., nuk hahet - it is not edible / one cannot eat it).

Conjugation Rules:
1. Vowel Stems (including -j verbs): Drop the -j and add -h- before the ending. Example: laj → la-h-em. For verbs ending in the diphthong -ua (like quaj), the -a- is dropped: quaj → qu-h-em.
2. Consonant Stems: Add endings directly to the stem. Example: hap → hap-em. Note that verbs ending in -h like shoh follow this pattern: shi-h-em.

Deponent Verbs: Some verbs only exist in the non-active form and do not have an active equivalent. Common examples include dukem (to seem), ndodhem (to be located), and pendohem (to repent).

Note on Stem Changes: Many common verbs undergo stem-vowel shifts (metaphony) in the non-active. For example, marr (I take) becomes merrem, and vë (I put) becomes vihem.

Endings Table:
• Unë: -em
• Ti: -esh
• Ai/Ajo: -et
• Ne: -emi
• Ju: -eni
• Ata/Ato: -en

Examples (5)

  1. Unë vishem shpejt çdo mëngjes.

    I get dressed quickly every morning.

    Word by Word: I dress-myself quickly every morning.

    Here, 'vishem' is the reflexive use of 'vesh' (to dress someone else).

  2. Ky libër lexohet nga shumë studentë.

    This book is read by many students.

    Word by Word: This book reads-itself by many students.

    This is a passive construction. The agent is introduced by the preposition 'nga' (by).

  3. Ne takohemi te sheshi në orën tetë.

    We meet (each other) at the square at eight o'clock.

    Word by Word: We meet-each-other at the square at the hour eight.

    This is a reciprocal use of 'takoj' (to meet someone).

  4. Dritarja hapet nga era.

    The window opens because of the wind.

    Word by Word: The window opens-itself from the wind.

    This is an anticausative use, describing a spontaneous action.

  5. Si quhesh ti?

    What is your name? (lit. How are you called?)

    Word by Word: How call-yourself you?

    A very common deponent-like use of the non-active form 'quhem'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the particle 'u' in the present tense.

    Unë u lahem.
    Unë lahem.

    In the present indicative, non-active verbs use synthetic endings like -em, not the particle 'u'. The particle 'u' belongs to other forms such as the non-active Aorist.

  • Forgetting to drop the -j in Class 1 verbs.

    Unë lajem.
    Unë lahem.

    For verbs ending in -j (like laj), you must drop the -j and usually add -h- before the non-active ending.

  • Using 'jam' + participle for the present passive.

    Different MeaningLibri është lexuar tani.
    Libri lexohet tani.

    'Është lexuar' is the Present Perfect (has been read). To say something 'is being read' right now, you must use the non-active present ending -et.

How It Connects

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-em / -esh / -etLevel 2Non-active Present Endings

Learn This First

To learn the non-active present endings, you must first be comfortable with personal pronouns, as these endings change based on the subject. Additionally, a solid grasp of active present tense verb stems is required, as the non-active suffixes (-em, -esh, -et, etc.) are applied to these same stems to change the verb's voice.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

-hem-het-em-et