i tyre / e tyre

Possessive Adjectives (3rd Plural)

Level 1

The possessive adjective for 'their' in Albanian is formed by a linking particle (i, e, të, së) followed by the fixed word 'tyre'. It always follows the noun it describes.

How It Works

In Standard Albanian, tyre is the possessive form for the third-person plural (their). A unique feature is that the word tyre itself is indeclinable (it never changes); only the linking particle before it changes to show agreement.

1. Agreement Rules:
The linking particle depends on the noun's gender, number, definiteness, and case:

  • i tyre: Masculine singular, definite, nominative (e.g., libri i tyre).
  • e tyre: Feminine singular (nom/acc), definite masculine singular (accusative), and definite plural (nom/acc) (e.g., librin e tyre, makinat e tyre).
  • të tyre: All plural nouns in oblique cases (dative/genitive), indefinite plural nouns in the nominative/accusative, all indefinite nouns in the accusative case (e.g., një vajzë të tyre), and masculine singular nouns in oblique cases (e.g., djalit të tyre).
  • së tyre: Feminine singular nouns in oblique cases (dative/genitive).

2. Word Order and Definiteness:
Possessives usually follow the noun. While the noun is most commonly in its definite form (e.g., djali i tyre), it can also follow an indefinite noun. If the noun is indefinite and plural, the particle changes to të (e.g., disa shokë të tyre).

3. Reflexive Distinction:
Use i tyre when 'their' refers to a group other than the subject. If the subject owns their own things, you may see the reflexive i vet used. In Standard Albanian, i vet (and its variants) serves as the reflexive possessive for all 3rd person subjects, meaning both 'his/her own' and 'their own'.

Examples (5)

  1. Libri i tyre është i ri.

    Their book is new.

    Word by Word: Book-the of them is of new.

    'i tyre' is used because 'libri' is a masculine singular noun in the nominative case.

  2. Unë lexoj librin e tyre.

    I am reading their book.

    Word by Word: I read book-the of them.

    'e tyre' is used here because 'librin' is a masculine singular noun in the accusative case.

  3. Makinat e tyre janë jashtë.

    Their cars are outside.

    Word by Word: Cars-the of them are outside.

    'e tyre' is used for definite plural nouns in the nominative and accusative cases.

  4. Kam disa libra të tyre.

    I have some of their books.

    Word by Word: I-have some books of them.

    'të tyre' is used here because 'libra' is an indefinite plural noun.

  5. U dhashë çelësat e shtëpisë së tyre.

    I gave them the keys to their house.

    Word by Word: To-them I-gave keys-the of house-the of them.

    'së tyre' is used because 'shtëpisë' is a feminine singular noun in the dative/genitive case.

Common Mistakes

  • Placing the possessive before the noun.

    tyre libri
    libri i tyre

    In Albanian, possessive adjectives must follow the noun they modify.

  • Omitting the linking particle.

    makina tyre
    makina e tyre

    The linking particle (i, e, të, së) is mandatory; without it, the sentence is ungrammatical.

  • Using 'i tyre' when there is only one owner.

    Different MeaningMiku i tyre
    Miku i tij

    The phrase miku i tyre is good Albanian, but it means 'their friend' and needs a group of owners. For one owner, use 'i tij' (his) or 'i saj' (her), as in the right sentence.

How It Connects

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

i tyre / e tyreLevel 1Possessive Adjectives (3rd Plural)

Learn This First

To use the 3rd person plural possessive ('their'), you need to understand how Albanian adjectives link to nouns using gender-specific particles (i/e) and how to identify the gender of the noun being possessed.

Words in This Pattern

tyre