The Genitive Case

Level 1

Albanian uses a 'linking article' + a noun to show possession (like English 'of' or 's'). Example: libri i djalit (the boy's book).

How It Works

In Standard Albanian, the genitive case (rasa gjinore) is the primary way to express belonging. Unlike English, which can use word order or an apostrophe, Albanian requires a specific construction.

1. The Linking Article (Nyja e përparme)
The most important part of the genitive is the linking article, which must agree with the first noun (the thing being possessed) in gender, number, and case:

  • i: Used for masculine singular nouns (both definite and indefinite) in the nominative case (e.g., libri i..., një libër i...).
  • e: Used for feminine singular nouns (both definite and indefinite) in the nominative case (e.g., makina e..., një makinë e...). It is also used for definite nouns in the accusative case (e.g., librin e..., makinën e...).
  • të: Used for all indefinite nouns in the accusative, dative, and ablative cases (e.g., shoh një libër të mësuesit). It is also used for all plural nouns (except definite nominative/accusative which use e) and for definite masculine nouns in the dative/ablative.
  • së: Used specifically for feminine singular definite nouns in the dative, genitive, and ablative cases.

2. The Noun (The Possessor)
The second noun (the owner) always takes the dative case form. Masculine definite nouns usually end in -it (or -ut for stems in -k, -g, -h), while feminine definite nouns take the suffix -së. Indefinite feminine nouns take the suffix -e.

3. Function
It answers the questions i/e cilit? (of whom/which masc.?) or i/e cilës? (of whom/which fem.?). It is used for:

  • Possession: shtëpia e Artanit (Artan's house).
  • Origin/Relationship: djali i mësuesit (the teacher's son).
  • Qualities: ora e dorës (the wrist watch).

Remember: The linking article itself changes if the entire phrase moves into a different case within the sentence to maintain agreement with the first noun.

Examples (5)

  1. Libri i djalit është mbi tavolinë.

    The boy's book is on the table.

    Word by Word: Book-the of boy-the is on table.

    Here, 'i' is used because 'libri' (the book) is masculine singular definite.

  2. Dritarja e dhomës është e hapur.

    The window of the room is open.

    Word by Word: Window-the of room-the is the open.

    'e' is used because 'dritarja' (the window) is feminine singular definite.

  3. Muret e shtëpisë janë të bardha.

    The walls of the house are white.

    Word by Word: Walls-the of house-the are the white.

    'e' is used here because 'muret' (the walls) is plural definite.

  4. Ky është djali i mësuesit tonë.

    This is our teacher's son.

    Word by Word: This is son-the of teacher-the our.

    The linking article 'i' connects the son (possessed) to the teacher (possessor).

  5. Ngjyra e makinës më pëlqen.

    I like the color of the car.

    Word by Word: Color-the of car-the to-me pleases.

    'e' agrees with the feminine noun 'ngjyra' (the color).

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the linking article.

    libri djalit
    libri i djalit

    In Albanian, you cannot show possession just by putting two nouns together. You must include the linking article (i, e, të, or së).

  • Matching the article to the wrong noun.

    makina i djalit
    makina e djalit

    The article must agree with the first noun (the thing owned), not the second noun (the owner). Since 'makina' is feminine, we use 'e', even though 'djalit' is masculine.

How It Connects

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The Genitive CaseLevel 1

Learn This First

To learn the genitive case, you must first understand how nouns are formed in the nominative case, as the genitive construction builds upon the definite form. Additionally, since the genitive is marked by linking articles (i, e, të, së), you need to be familiar with how these particles function in Albanian grammar.

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Words in This Pattern

eesë