Albanian exonyms
Many places have exonyms, names for places that differs from that used in the official or well-established language within that place, in the Albanian language.
Albanian has a relatively small number of true exonyms in areas beyond the current borders of Albania and Kosovo, mostly in neighboring countries, and those are listed here.
In addition, Albanian is a language with phonetic spelling that includes orthographic exonymy, i.e. it renders the names of non-Albanian places and people phonetically according to Albanian orthography. For example, Manchester is written as Mançester, Los Angeles as Los Anxheles, and New York as Nju Jork, etc. These are not listed here.
Grammatical forms of Albanian placenames
True Albanian exonyms, not mere orthographic exonyms, like all Albanian placenames can be rendered in two forms the same way as common nouns, the definite and indefinite forms.[1] These forms are created with postpositions to the placename.
When using English or another foreign language, Albanians tend to use the definite form but on road signs and other similar usage, the indefinite form is used because there is an implied preposition në, meaning "to" or "in", which is followed by the indefinite.[2] Maps, especially those produced in Albania, consistently use the indefinite form.[2]
The two forms are applied differently depending on grammatical gender of the word. "Recommended international usage for Albanian toponyms" in Kosovo has feminine place names appearing in the definite form and masculine place names in the indefinite form. However, in Albania, English usage is of the indefinite for both feminine and masculine placenames except for the capital, Tirana. Masculine nouns usually take the suffix -i and feminine ones the suffix -a (which overrides a final -ë).
Afghanistan
Afghanistan Afganistani | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Kabul | Kabul | Kabəl | Pashto | |
Kābul | Persian |
Austria
Austria Austria | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Vienna | Vjena | Wien | German |
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan Azerbajxhan | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Baku | Baku | Bakı | Azeri |
Belgium
Belgium Belgjika | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Brussels | Bruksel[3] | Brussel | Dutch | |
Bruxelles | French |
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnja dhe Hercegovina | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Brčko | Bërçka | Brčko | Bosnian | |
Sarajevo | Sarajevë | Sarajevo | Bosnian |
Bulgaria
Bulgaria Bullgaria | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Plovdiv | Pl(l)ovdiv, Filipopojë | Plovdiv | Bulgarian | |
Sofia | Sofje[3] | Sofija | Bulgarian |
Canada
Canada Kanadaja | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Ottawa | Otava | Ottawa | English |
China
China Kinë | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Beijing | Pekin | Běijīng | Mandarin |
Croatia
Croatia Kroacia | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Arbanasi | Arbanëshi | Arbanasi | Croatian | |
Opatija | Opatia | Opatija | Croatian | |
Rijeka | Rieka | Rijeka | Croatian | |
Šibenik | Shibeniku | Šibenik | Croatian | |
Zadar | Zara | Zadar | Croatian |
Cyprus
Cyprus Qipro | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Nicosia | Nikozia | Lefkoşa | Turkish | |
Lefkosía | Greek |
Czechia
Czechia Çekia | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Prague | Pragë[3] | Praha | Czech |
Denmark
Denmark Danimarka | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Copenhagen | Kopenhagen, Kopenhagë[3] | København | Danish |
Egypt
Egypt Egjipti | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Cairo | Kajro[3] | Qāhirah | Arabic |
Estonia
Estonia Estonia | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Tallinn | Talin | Tallinn | Estonian |
Germany
Germany Gjermania | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Kiel | Kiel | Kiel | German | |
Cologne | Këln | Köln | German | |
Mainz | Majnz | Mainz | German | |
Munich | Mynih | Münich | German |
Greece
Greece Greqia | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Aetomilitsa | Denckë | Aetomilítsa | Greek | |
Ammoudia | Spllancë | Ammúdia | Greek | |
Anthousa | Rrapezë | Anthúsa | Greek | |
Argos Orestiko | Hurupisht, Rupisht | Árgos Orestikó | Greek | |
Arta | Artë, Nartë | Arta | Greek | |
Athens | Athinë | Athína | Greek | |
Bizani | Bezhan | Bizáni | ||
Corfu | Korfuz, Qarfoz | Kérkyra | ||
Delvinaki | Delvinaq | |||
Drosopigi | Bellkamen | Drosopigí | ||
Edessa | Vodenë | Édessa | ||
Elassona | Allasonjë | Elassóna | ||
Fanari | Frar | Fanári | ||
Filiates | Filat | Filiátes | ||
Flampouro | Negovan | |||
Florina | Follorinë | Flórina | ||
Grevena | Grebené | Grevená | ||
Goumenissa | Gumenicë | Guménissa | ||
Igoumenitsa | Gumenicë | Igumenítsa | ||
Ioannina | Janinë | Ioánnina | ||
Kalabaka | Kallabakë | Kalabáka | ||
Kalamata | Kallamatë | Kalamáta | ||
Karditsa | Kardhitsë | |||
Kastoria | Kostur | Kastoriá | ||
Kastrion | Kastricë | |||
Katavothra | Luarat | Katavóthra | ||
Kavala | Kavallë | |||
Konitsa | Konicë | Kónitsa | ||
Lekhovon | Lehovë | Lékhovon | ||
Livadeia | Livadhja | |||
Margariti | Margëllëç, Margëlliç | Margaríti | ||
Messolonghi | Mesolongji, Meslonjë | Messolongí | ||
Metsovo | Mecovë, Meçovë | Métsovo | ||
Narkissos | Arcë | Narkíssos | ||
Othoni | Thonuz | Othoní | ||
Paramithia | Paramithi | Paramithiá | ||
Parapotamos | Varfanj | Parapótamos | ||
Parga | Pargë | Pargá | ||
Patras | Patër | |||
Peloponnese | Moré, Peloponez | Pelopónnisos | ||
Perdika | Arpicë | Perdika | ||
Plataria | Pllotarë | Platariá | ||
Pogoniani | Voshtinë | Pogonianí | ||
Preveza | Prevezë | Préveza | ||
Ptolemaida | Kajlar | |||
Sagiada | Sajadhë | |||
Stavroupoli | Kristopojë | Stavrúpoli | ||
Syvota | Volë | Sývota | ||
Themelon | Taban | Themélon | ||
Thesprotikon | Lelovë | Thesprotikón | ||
Thessaloniki | Selonik | Thessalonikí | ||
Trikalla | Tërkallë, Trikallë | |||
Tripoli | Tripolicë | Tripolí | ||
Vuvousa | Vuvucë | Vuvúsa |
Iran
Iran Irani | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Tehran | Teheran | Tehrān | Persian |
Israel
Israel Izraeli | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Jerusalem | Jeruzalem | Al Quds | Arabic | |
Yerushalayim (ירושליים) | Hebrew | |||
Nazareth | Nazaret | Naseriyye | Arabic | |
Natzrat (נצרת) | Hebrew |
Italy
Italy Italia | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Acquaformosa | Firmoza | |||
Barile | Barilli | |||
Campomarino | Kemarini | |||
Caraffa di Catanzaro | Garfara | |||
Casavecchia di Puglia | Kazallveqi | |||
Castroregio | Kasternexhi | |||
Cavallerizzo | Cajaverizzi | |||
Cervicati | Cervikati | |||
Cerzeto | Qana | |||
Chieuti | Qefti | |||
Civita | Cifti | |||
Falconara Albanese | Fallkunara | |||
Firmo | Ferma | |||
Frascineto | Frasnitha | |||
Genoa | Gjenovë | Genoa | Italian | |
Lungro | Ungra | |||
Macchia Albanese | Maqi | |||
Maschito | Mashqiti | |||
Mezzioiuso | Munxifsi | |||
Mongrassano | Mongrasana | |||
Montecilfone | Munxhfune | |||
Palazzo Adriano | Palaci | |||
Pallagorio | Puherio | |||
Piana dei Greci | Hora e Arbereshevet | |||
Plataci | Pllatani | |||
Portocannone | Portokanuni | |||
Ragusa | Ragusë | |||
Rome | Romë | Roma | Italian | |
San Basile | Shen Vasili | |||
San Benedetto Ullano | Shen Benedhiti | |||
San Cosmo Albanese | Strighari | |||
San Constantino Albanese | Shen Kostadini | |||
San Demetrio Corone | Shen Mitri | |||
San Giacomo di Cerzetu | Shen Japku | |||
San Giorgio di Albanese | Mbuzati | |||
San Martino di San Finita | Shen Murtiri | |||
San Marzano di San Giuseppe | Shen Marcani | |||
San Nicola dell'Alto | Shen Kolli | |||
San Paolo Albanese | Shen Pali | |||
Santa Catarina Albanese | Picilia | |||
Santa Cristina Gela | Sendahstina | |||
Santa Sofia d'Epiro | Shen Sofia | |||
Spezzano Albanese | Spixano | |||
Trieste | Trieshtë | |||
Ururi | Ruri | |||
Vaccarizzo Albanese | Vakarici | |||
Vena di Maide | Vina | |||
Venice | Vendik | Venexia | Venetian | |
Villa Badessa | Badhessa |
Jordan
Jordan Jordania | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Amman | Amani | Ammān | Arabic |
Lebanon
Lebanon Libani | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Beirut | Bejrut | Bayrūt | Arabic | |
Tripoli | Tripoli | Tarābulus | Arabic |
Libya
Libya Libia | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Tripoli | Tripoli | Tarābulus | Arabic |
Mongolia
Mongolia Mongolia | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Ulanbaataar | Ulan Bator | Ulanbaataar | Mongolian |
Montenegro
Montenegro Mali I Zi | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Andrijevica | Andrijevicë | Andrijevica | Montenegrin | |
Bar | Tivar | Bar | Montenegrin | |
Berane | Beranë | Berane | Montenegrin | |
Bijelo Polje | Bellopojë | Bijelo Polje | Montenegrin | |
Budva | Buduë | Budva | Montenegrin | |
Cetinje | Cetinë | Cetinje | Montenegrin | |
Gusinja | Guci, Gusi | Gusinja | Montenegrin | |
Kolašin | Koloshin | Kolašin | Montenegrin | |
Kotor | Kotorr | Kotor | Montenegrin | |
Nikšić | Nikshiq | Nikšić | Montenegrin | |
Plav | Plavë | Plav | Montenegrin | |
Pljevlje | Plevlë | Pljevlje | Montenegrin | |
Plužine | Pluzhinë | Plužine | Montenegrin | |
Podgorica | Podogoricë; Anamal, Burguriçë | Podgorica | Montenegrin | |
Rožaje | Rozhajë | Rožaje | Montenegrin | |
Ulcinj | Ulqin | Ulcinj | Montenegrin | |
Žabljak | Zhabjak | Žabljak | Montenegrin |
Nepal
Nepal Nepali | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Kathmandu | Katmandu | Kantipur | Nepali |
Netherlands
Netherlands Hollanda | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
The Hague | Hagë | Den Haag | Dutch |
North Macedonia
North Macedonia Maqedonia e Veriut | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Berovo | Berovë | Berovo | Macedonian | |
Bitola | Manastir[3] | Bitola | Macedonian | |
Debar | Dibër[3] | Debar | Macedonian | |
Delčevo | Dellçevë | Delčevo | Macedonian | |
Gevgelja | Gjevgjeli | Gevgelja | Macedonian | |
Kičevo | Kërçevë[3] | Kičevo | Macedonian | |
Kočani | Koçan | Kočani | Macedonian | |
Kratovo | Kratovë | Kratovo | Macedonian | |
Kriva Palanka | Krivë Pallankë | Kriva Palanka | Macedonian | |
Kruševo | Kruševë | Kruševo | Macedonian | |
Kumanovo | Kumanovë | Kumanovo | Macedonian | |
Negotino | Negotinë | Negotino | Macedonian | |
Ohrid | Ohër, Ohrit[3] | Ohrid | Macedonian | |
Pehčevo | Peçevë | Pehčevo | Macedonian | |
Prilep | Prilep, Përlep | Prilep | Macedonian | |
Radoviš | Radovisht | Radoviš | Macedonian | |
Resen | Resnjë | Resen | Macedonian | |
Šar Mountains | Bjeshkët e Sharrit, Malet e Sharrit, Mali i Sharrit[3] | Šar Mountains | Macedonian | |
Skopje | Shkup[3] | Skopje | Macedonian | |
Struga | Strugë[3] | Struga | Macedonian | |
Strumica | Strumicë | Strumica | Macedonian | |
Sveti Nikole | Sveti Nikollë | Sveti Nikole | Macedonian | |
Tetovo | Tetovë[3] | Tetovo | Macedonian | |
Valandovo | Vallandovë | Valandovo | Macedonian | |
Zajas | Zajaz | Zajas | Macedonian |
Oman
Oman Omani | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Muskat | Muskat | Masqaṭ | Arabic |
Poland
Poland Polonia | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Warszaw | Varshavë | Warszawa | Polish |
Romania
Romania Rumania | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Bucharest | Bukuresht | București | Romanian | |
Constanța | Konstancë | Constanța | Romanian |
Russia
Russia Rusia | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Moscow | Moska | Moskva | Russian | |
Saint Petersburg | Shën-Pjetërburgu | Sankt-Peterburg | Russian |
Rwanda
Rwanda Ruanda | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Kigali | Kigal | Kigal | Kinyarwanda |
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Arabia Saudite | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Medina | Medina | Madīna | Arabic | |
Mecca | Meka | Makkah | Arabic | |
Riyadh | Riad | Riyāḍ | Arabic |
Serbia
Serbia Serbia | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Bujanovac | Bujanovc | Bujanovac | Serbian | |
Kuršumlija | Kurshumli | Kuršumlija | Serbian | |
Medveđa | Medegjë | Medveđa | Serbian | |
Novi Pazar | Pazar i Ri, Treg i Ri | Novi Pazar | Serbian | |
Preševo | Preshevë | Preševo | Serbian | |
Prokuplje | Prokuplë | Prokuplje | Serbian | |
Raške | Rashkë | Raške | Serbian | |
Sjenica | Senicë | Sjenica | Serbian |
Somalia
Somalia Somalia | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Mogadishu | Mogadishu | Muqdisho | Somali |
Switzerland
Switzerland Zvicra | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Bern | Berna | Bern | German | |
Chur | Kur | Chur | German | |
Geneva | Gjeneva | Genèvre | French | |
Genf | German | |||
Lausanne | Lozana | Lausanne | French | |
Lucerne | Luzern | Luzern | German |
Turkey
Turkey Turqia | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Edirne | Edërne, Adrianopojë | Edirne | Turkish | |
İstanbul | Stamboll, Konstantinopojë | İstanbul | Turkish |
Ukraine
Ukraine Ukrainë | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Kiev | Kiev | Kyiv | Ukrainian |
United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates Emiratet e Bashkuara Arabe | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Abu Dhabi | Abu Dabi | Abū Ẓabī | Arabic |
United Kingdom
United Kingdom Mbretëria e Bashkuar | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Cardiff | Kardif | Caerdydd | Welsh | |
Edinburgh | Edinburg | Dún Èideann | Scottish Gaelic | |
Edinburgh | Scots, English | |||
London | Londër | London | English |
United States
United States Shtete e Bashkuara të Amerikëes | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Connecticut | Kenerik | Connecticut | English |
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan Uzbekistani | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
English name | Albanian name | Endonym | Notes | |
Name | Language | |||
Tashkent | Tashkent | Toshkent | Uzbek |
See also
References
- Leonard Newmark, Philip Hubbard, Peter R. Prifti. Standard Albanian: a reference grammar for students. Stanford University Press, 1982. p. 158. ISBN 978-0-8047-1129-6.
- Gillian Gloyer. The Bradt Travel Guide Albania. 3rd edition. Bradt Travel Guides, 2008. ISBN 978-1-84162-246-0.
- KNAB, the Place Names Database of EKI