për të + Participle
Standard Infinitive: 'Për Të'
The Standard Infinitive is formed by për të followed by the participle. It is the formal way to say 'to [verb]' when expressing purpose or intent.
How It Works
In Standard Albanian, the infinitive is a periphrastic construction. It consists of the preposition për, the particle të, and the participle of the verb. The participle form is invariable, meaning it does not change for gender or number.
1. Expressing Purpose:
The infinitive often shows what the subject intends to do, meaning 'in order to'. It can also express an action intended for an object: E thirra për të më ndihmuar. (I called him/her to help me.) A separate purpose clause can use the subjunctive mood.
Example: Erdha për të ndihmuar. (I came [in order] to help.)
2. Expressing Obligation:
When combined with the verb kam (to have), it indicates something that must be done or a strong future intention.
Example: Kam për të lexuar një libër. (I have to read a book.)
3. Attributive Use (Noun Modifier):
The infinitive can modify a noun to describe its function, purpose, or a quality related to an action. In English, this often translates to 'to [verb]' following a noun.
Example: makinë për të qepur (sewing machine / machine for sewing); ujë për të pirë (water to drink).
4. After Adjectives:
The construction also completes an adjective: një libër i lehtë për t'u lexuar (a book that is easy to read). Here u marks the non-active form: the book is read.
5. Phonological Changes and Particles:
- Contraction: Before i or non-active u, të becomes t': për t'i parë (to see them), për t'u larë (to be washed). With the clitic e, it contracts to ta: për ta parë (to see it).
- Negation: For negative forms, place mos after the particle: për të mos shkuar (in order not to go).
Examples (5)
- Erdha në Tiranë për të studiuar.
I came to Tirana in order to study.
Word by Word: I-came in Tirana for to studied.
Here, 'për të studiuar' clearly shows the purpose of the action.
- Kam shumë punë për të bërë sot.
I have a lot of work to do today.
Word by Word: I-have much work for to done today.
When following a noun or 'kam', it expresses a task or obligation.
- U nisëm herët për të mos u vonuar.
We left early in order not to be late.
Word by Word: We-left early for to not be delayed.
This shows the negative form 'për të mos' and the non-active particle 'u'.
- Kjo është një mundësi për t'i ndihmuar ata.
This is an opportunity to help them.
Word by Word: This is an opportunity for to-them helped them.
Notice how 'të' elides to 't'' before the clitic 'i' (them).
- Më jep pak ujë për të pirë.
Give me some water to drink.
Word by Word: Me give little water for to drunk.
This is the attributive use, where the infinitive describes the function or purpose of the noun 'ujë'.
Common Mistakes
Using the present tense instead of the participle.
Erdha për të punoj.Erdha për të punuar.The construction requires a participle, not a conjugated present-tense form. Common participles end in -uar, -ur, or -ar; others include bërë, pirë, and dhënë.
Using 'për të' after verbs of wanting or modals.
Dua për të shkuar.Dua të shkoj.After verbs like 'dua' (want) or 'mund' (can), you must use the subjunctive mood, not the 'për të' infinitive.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To form the standard infinitive in Albanian, you must understand how to form the past participle of a verb, as this is the base form used. Additionally, you need to be familiar with the preposition 'për' and the linking particle 'të', which together create the 'për të' marker that precedes the participle.
- Past Participle Formation
The standard Albanian infinitive is formed by combining 'për të' with the participle form of the verb.
Level 2 - përPreposition 'Për'
The infinitive construction uses the preposition 'për' as its primary marker.
Foundations - tëLinking Article 'Të'
The particle 'të' is a core component of the 'për të' infinitive structure.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- të + VerbThe Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive is the most common alternative to the infinitive in spoken Albanian.
Level 1 - kamVerb 'Kam' (To Have)
The verb 'kam' is used with the infinitive to express obligation.
Foundations - mosProhibitive Negation 'Mos'
The particle 'mos' is used to negate the infinitive construction.
Level 1 - me punue / të punoshGheg vs. Standard Infinitive
Compares the standard 'për të' form with the northern Gheg 'me' infinitive.
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Sources
- Matasović: A Grammatical Sketch of Albanian, sections 4.2.7, 4.4, 4.6
- University of Texas: Albanian Online, imperative formation
- University Ss. Cyril and Methodius: Albanian phonetics, punojeni epenthesis
- Inclusion Europe: Albanian easy-to-read standards, page 22
- Nuhi Veselaj: Rreth shquarsisë, masculine stems ending in stressed -e
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