të + Verb

The Subjunctive Mood

Level 1

The Subjunctive Mood (Mënyra Lidhore) is used to link two verbs together. Since Albanian doesn't have a standard infinitive (like 'to go'), it uses the particle të + a conjugated verb to express things you want, need, or can do.

How It Works

In Standard Albanian, the subjunctive mood is the primary way to link verbs to express purpose, desire, or necessity. Unlike English, which often uses 'to' + a base verb, Albanian requires you to conjugate the second verb to match the person performing the action.

1. Formation:
For most verbs in the present tense, the subjunctive looks like the normal present tense (indicative), except for the 2nd and 3rd person singular:

  • 2nd Person Singular: Usually ends in -sh (e.g., punon → të punosh).
  • 3rd Person Singular: Usually ends in -ë or -jë (e.g., punon → të punojë).

Note that high-frequency irregular verbs like jam (të jem) do not follow this standard pattern.

2. Usage:
It is used after modal verbs and verbs of emotion or desire:

  • Dua të shkoj (I want to go)
  • Duhet të mësosh (You must study)

3. Different Subjects:
When the subject of the main verb is different from the subject of the subjunctive verb, you can use the conjunction që for emphasis or clarity, though it is not always mandatory.
Example: Dua (që) ti të shkosh (I want you to go).

4. Negation:
To say 'not to...', you must use the particle mos between të and the verb. Never use nuk in the subjunctive mood.
Example: Dua të mos shkoj (I want not to go).

Examples (5)

  1. Dua të mësoj shqip.

    I want to learn Albanian.

    Word by Word: I-want to I-learn Albanian.

    Here, 'të mësoj' acts like the English infinitive 'to learn'. Note that 'mësoj' is conjugated in the 1st person to match 'dua'.

  2. Ti duhet të shkosh tani.

    You must go now.

    Word by Word: You must to you-go now.

    After the verb 'duhet' (must), we use the subjunctive. Notice the -sh ending for the 2nd person singular.

  3. Ai mund të vijë nesër.

    He can come tomorrow.

    Word by Word: He can to he-come tomorrow.

    Possibility is expressed with 'mund' followed by the subjunctive. The 3rd person singular 'vijë' uses the -ë ending.

  4. Më pëlqen të lexoj libra.

    I like to read books.

    Word by Word: To-me it-pleases to I-read books.

    The subjunctive is used here to express a preference or liking for an action.

  5. Duhet të mos harrosh çelësat.

    You must not forget the keys.

    Word by Word: Must to not you-forget keys-the.

    This shows the correct way to negate the subjunctive using 'mos' between 'të' and the verb.

Common Mistakes

  • Dropping the particle 'të'.

    Dua shkoj në shtëpi.
    Dua të shkoj në shtëpi.

    In Standard Albanian, 'dua' is followed by 'të' and the subjunctive; two verbs are not simply placed together.

  • Using 'nuk' for negation instead of 'mos'.

    Dua të nuk shkoj.
    Dua të mos shkoj.

    The subjunctive mood always uses 'mos' for negation. 'Nuk' is only for the indicative (factual) mood.

  • Failing to conjugate the second verb.

    Ti duhet të shkoj.
    Ti duhet të shkosh.

    Even though it translates to an infinitive in English, the Albanian subjunctive verb must agree with the subject (Ti -> shkosh).

How It Connects

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të + VerbLevel 1The Subjunctive Mood

Learn This First

To form the subjunctive mood, you must first be comfortable with present tense verb conjugations, as the subjunctive simply adds the particle 'të' before these existing forms. Familiarity with personal pronouns is also required to ensure the verb matches the subject.

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Patterns that build on this one.

And 5 more in the full list.

Words in This Pattern