I am currently learning Albanian (slowly) and I am finding it the most interesting of languages. One of the things I like about it is the fact that there are such expressive ways of saying things, particularly in comparison with English. Each week I will share a phrase or word that I have discovered, and I will explain why I like it.
The word i have chosen for this week is ‘tungjatjeta’ which is used as a greeting or another way to say “hello”. But unlike its English or Italian counterparts, it has a meaning other than.just a word that you say when you meet someone. Tungjatjeta quite literally comes from enclitic tu + ngjat + jeta, literally meaning ‘long life to you” or “may you live long”.
So when you meet someone, not only are you greeting them with happiness, but you are wishing them a long and I would assume happy life.
Whilst ‘tungjatjeta’ is not used often in day to day usage anymore, the shortened version of ‘tung’ is used as a “hello” or “goodbye” in Kosovo. Despite the word falling out of usage, I am determined to use it because I think it is a wonderful way to greet someone.
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