-ej

Present Tense: -ej Verbs

Foundations

Verbs ending in -ej (like blej - to buy) are a major group of regular verbs in Albanian. They follow a predictable pattern in the present tense, though the 'j' disappears in certain forms.

How It Works

To use these verbs, you start with the stem and add the present tense endings.

The Conjugation Pattern:

  • Unë (I): add -j (blej)
  • Ti (You): add -n (blen)
  • Ai/Ajo (He/She): add -n (blen)
  • Ne (We): add -jmë (blejmë)
  • Ju (You all): add -ni (bleni)
  • Ata/Ato (They): add -jnë (blejnë)

Notice that the -j- is dropped in the 2nd and 3rd person singular (Ti/Ai) and the 2nd person plural (Ju). This is a key feature of verbs ending in vowels.

Common verbs in this category include:

  • blej (to buy)
  • pëlqej (to like)
  • kërcej (to dance)
  • shkëlqej (to shine)
  • kthej (to return)

Examples (4)

  1. Unë pëlqej muzikën shqiptare.

    I like Albanian music.

    Word by Word: I like music-the Albanian.

    The 1st person singular 'Unë' uses the full -ej ending.

  2. Ti blen një libër të ri.

    You are buying a new book.

    Word by Word: You buy a book link-particle new.

    In the 2nd person singular 'Ti', the 'j' is replaced by 'n'.

  3. Ata kërcejnë në dasmë.

    They are dancing at the wedding.

    Word by Word: They dance in wedding.

    The 3rd person plural 'Ata' uses the -jnë ending.

  4. Ne kthejmë librat në bibliotekë.

    We are returning the books to the library.

    Word by Word: We return books-the in library.

    The 1st person plural 'Ne' uses the -jmë ending.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the 'j' in the 2nd or 3rd person singular.

    Ti blejn një libër.
    Ti blen një libër.

    Learners often try to keep the 'j' from the dictionary form, but it must be dropped when adding the 'n' for 'Ti' or 'Ai/Ajo'.

  • Confusing -ej verbs with -oj verbs.

    Unë pëlqoj këtë.
    Unë pëlqej këtë.

    While -ej and -oj verbs have similar endings, the stem vowel (e or o) is fixed. 'Pëlqej' always uses 'e'.