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74 Albanian Quotes, Sayings & Proverbs + Meanings

Albanians use a lot of sayings and expressions in daily life which offer advice and even sometimes have hidden meanings.

Check out these proverbs, idioms and quotes below to gain some insight into Albanian beliefs and ways of thinking. 

I spent hours trying to find tonnes of famous quotes in Albanian with translations, inspiring Albanian sayings and common Albanian proverbs. 

I think my favourite one is about the oak tree (number 40).

I hope you can find your favorite Albanian quote too.

Famous Albanian Quotes & Albanian Sayings In Albanian With English Translation

Here are some well-known quotes in Albanian as well as some famous Albanian sayings with English translation. These are used often in day to day life.

  1. Çdo njeri ndërton fatin e vet – Every man is the maker of his own fortune.
Famous Albanian quote which reads 'every man is the maker of his own fortune'.
  1. Gur, gur bëhet mur – Brick by brick makes the wall thick. 

This Albanian quote means good things aren’t built immediately, but rather one step at a time.

  1. Asnjëri nuk mund ti shërbejë dy zotërinj – Nobody can serve two masters.
  1. Fillimi i mbarë është gjysma e punës – Well begun, is half done. 

This well-known Albanian saying means starting something properly ensures the speedy completion of a task.

  1. Trimi i mirë me shokë shumë – No man is an island. 

This famous Albanian quote about life means that no one can act alone and we all need others’ help.

  1. Lumi fle, armiku s’fle – Sleep may captivate a river’s flow, but not your foe.

This Albanian saying means ‘never let your guard down’.

  1. Matë tre herë, prit një herë – Measure thrice, cut once. 

This Albanian proverb indicates that we should always act only after due consideration.

  1. Më thuaj me kë rri, të të them cili je – Tell me who you stay with, and I’ll tell who you are. 

This Albanian quote means that a person’s company and social circle says a lot about their traits.

  1. Qeni që leh shumë, nuk t’gic – Dogs that bark a lot, do not bite.
  1. Më mirë syri sesa nami – Better lose your eye rather than your honor.
  1. Sa të rrosh, do të mësosh – We learn as long as we live.
  1. Trimi i mirë me shokë shumë – Brave are those with many friends. 

This Albanian saying implies that courageous people often have friends/family who have their back.

Famous Albanian quote which reads 'brave are those with many friends'.
  1. Punë punë natë e ditë, që të shohim pakëz dritë – Work work day and night, just to see a little light.
  1. Kalliri që është plot e mban kokën poshtë, i zbrazëti e mban kokën lart – Cobs full of corn keep their heads down, empty cobs stay up. 

This is one of the best quotes in Albanian and means that decent people are also modest, while the incompetent are the most prone to boasting.

  1. Mos pyet si vdiq, por si rrojti – Don’t ask how someone died, ask how they lived.
  1. Peshku i madh ha të voglin – Men are like fish, the great ones devour the small.
  1. Molla nuk bie larg mollës – The apple doesn’t fall far from the apple tree. 

This Albanian quote about family means that children often follow the example set by their parents.

  1. Punën e sotme mos e lër për nesër – Never put off till tomorrow what can be done today.
  1. Rrena i ka këmbët e shkurtëra – Lies have short legs.
  1. Nuk mbulohet dielli me shoshë – You can’t cover the sun with a sieve.

This Albanian proverb means that ‘you can’t cover what is obvious’.

  1. Vritet faji, jo njeriu – Punish the mistake not the one who commits it.
Famous Albanian saying which reads 'punish the mistake, not the one who commits it'.
  1. Mos hidh zjarr në kashtë – Don’t add fuel to the fire. 

This famous saying means that we should not make a bad situation even worse by a negative remark.

  1. Nder dhe mend nuk blihen në pazar – Honor and reason can not be bought.
  1. Iku macja, lozin minjtë – When the cat’s away, the mice will play. 

This phrase means that in the absence of a boss, those under his/her control will often neglect their duties.

Beautiful Albanian Quotes & Albanian Proverbs In English

Below I’ve listed a range of famous and inspirational Albanian quotes in English as well as some Albanian proverbs which have also been translated into English.

  1. The weaker the argument, the stronger the words.
  1. In the eyes of the mouse, the cat is a lion.
  1. The sun at home warms better than the sun elsewhere.
  1. Patience is the key to paradise.
  1. The monk gets married to please his friend.
  1. Don’t put gold buttons on a torn coat.
Famous Albanian saying which reads 'don't put gold buttons on a torn coat'.
  1. Stroke the dog and he will mark you with his dirty paws.
  1. Two ears and one tongue, speak little and listen a lot.
  1. Even if it’s the king’s garden, it will have a thorn or two.
  1. If your neighbor is an early riser, you too will become one.
  1. The tongue doesn’t have bones, but it breaks bones.
  1. Strength is good, wisdom is a bit better.
  1. Plow your furrows deep while sluggards sleep, and you shall have corn to sell and to keep.
  1. The world gives you as much as you give it.
  1. The bear couldn’t reach the berries, so he said ‘they’re not ripe yet’.
  1. You can’t cut an oak tree with one swing.
Famous Albanian proverb which reads 'you can't cut an oak tree with one swing'.
  1. The man who has eaten enough will never believe a hungry one.
  1. The tooth might bite the tongue, but they always remain friends.
  1. Everyone has two scales, one for themselves, and one for others.
  1. One eats figs whilst the other pays.
  1. The fox will catch you with cunning, and the wolf with courage.
  1. Better to have a donkey that’s yours, than use a horse owned by someone else.
  1. Love is sometimes difficult but death even more so.
  1. Don’t tear and cut the carpet to patch the coat.
  1. He who leans against a big tree will always find shade.
  1. A nice word never broke any teeth.
  1. A joke is a half truth.
  1. He who hesitates, regrets.
  1. He who loves you criticizes you, the one that doesn’t, praises you.
  1. A lot of flowers bloom in the spring, but few survive it.
Famous Albanian quote which reads 'a lot of flowers bloom in the spring, but few survive it'.
  1. Even water, in the same place for too long, starts stinking.
  1. The eagle might soar the skies, but her nest is on the ground.
  1. Even the hen looks toward heaven when she drinks.
  1. You can fool an old horse once but you can’t fool him twice.
  1. A spark can light a mountain on fire.
  1. What the eye can’t see, the heart won’t crave.
  1. If you have figs in your knapsack, everyone will want to be your friend.

Best Albanian Idioms & Albanian Expressions

Below I’ve listed the most well-known Albanian idioms and expressions that are used all the time in day to day speech. Many of these have hidden meanings. 

  1. Të njoh me rrënjë e dhëmballë

This Albanian idiom literally means ‘I know your roots and your teeth’.
The true meaning is ‘I know your origin and everything about you’.
It’s used in a negative context, e.g. if you think someone is lying.

  1. I jep dorën, të merr krahun

The literal meaning of this Albanian idiom is ‘you gave your hand and he/she takes your arm’. It actually means that ‘he/she is taking advantage of you’.

  1. Shtri këmbët sa ke jorganin

This Albanian expression literally means ‘stretch your legs as far as the quilt’. The true meaning is ‘don’t spend more than you can afford’.

Famous Albanian idiom which reads 'stretch your legs as far as the quilt' (meaning: don't spend more than you can afford).
  1. Ma solli shpirtin në majë të hundës

This phrase literally means ‘he brought my soul to the tip of my nose’. It actually means ‘he/she made me angry’.

  1. Mos i fut hundët

This Albanian idiom literally means ‘do not insert your nose’. The actual meaning is ‘don’t interfere’.

  1. E ka në gjak (diçka)

The literal meaning of this idiom is ‘it’s in his/her blood’. The true meaning ‘it is part of him/her’.

  1. Është për të lëpirë gishtat

This Albanian idiom literally means ‘it’s to lick the fingers’. The actual meaning is ‘it’s delicious’ and can be used for food.

  1. Kërkoj gjilpërën në kashtë

This idiom literally means ‘looking for a needle in a haystack’. It means that something is very difficult to find.

  1. Rrofsh sa malet

This Albanian idiom literally means ‘I hope you live as long as the mountains’. The true meaning is ‘I wish you would live forever’.

Famous Albanian idiom which reads 'I hope you live as long as the mountains'.
  1. Ja bleu mendjen

The literal meaning of this Albanian idiom is ‘he/she has bought his/her mind’. The true meaning is that he/she has convinced him/her of something.

  1. U bë tym

The literal meaning of this idiom is ‘he/she became smoke’ however it actually means ‘he/she got sad or disappointed’.

  1. M’u thanë sytë

This Albanian idiom literally means ‘my eyes are dry’ however the true meaning is ‘I miss him/her’.

  1. Me djersën e ballit

This phrase literally means ‘with the sweat of my forehead’ however the actual meaning is ‘I did it myself’.

Check out the video below which features a range of famous Albanian quotes and well-known Albanian sayings & proverbs.

Thanks for reading this post on the best Albanian quotes about life, famous Albanian sayings and fascinating Albanian proverbs.

These Albanian quotes & sayings give an interesting insight into the Albanian beliefs and language.

I hope you found your favorite Albanian saying.

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