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.
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).
Austria
 Austria Austria |
|---|
| English name |
Albanian name |
Endonym |
Notes |
| Name |
Language |
| Vienna |
Vjenë |
Wien |
German |
|
Azerbaijan
 Azerbaijan Azerbajxhan |
|---|
| English name |
Albanian name |
Endonym |
Notes |
| Name |
Language |
| Baku |
Baku |
Bakı |
Azeri |
|
Belgium
.svg.png) 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 |
|
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 |
|
| Šibenik |
Shibeniku |
Šibenik |
Croatian |
|
| Zadar |
Zara |
Zadar |
Croatian |
|
| Dubrovnik |
Rush |
Dubrovnik |
Croatian |
historical; no longer in use |
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 |
|
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 |
|
| Bizani |
Bezhan |
Bizáni |
|
|
| Corfu |
Korfuz, Qarfoz |
Kérkyra |
|
|
| Delvinaki |
Delvinaq |
Delvináki |
|
|
| Drosopigi |
Bellkamen |
Drosopigí |
|
|
| Edessa |
Vodenë |
Édessa |
|
|
| Elassona |
Allasonjë |
Elassóna |
|
|
| Fanari |
Frar |
Fanári |
|
|
| Filiates |
Filat |
Filiátes |
|
|
| Flampouro |
Negovan |
Flámpouro |
|
|
| Florina |
Follorinë |
Flórina |
|
|
| Grevena |
Grebené |
Grevená |
|
|
| Goumenissa |
Gumenicë |
Guménissa |
|
|
| Igoumenitsa |
Gumenicë |
Igumenítsa |
|
|
| Ioannina |
Janinë |
Ioánnina |
|
|
| Kalabaka |
Kallabakë |
Kalabáka |
|
|
| Kalamata |
Kallamatë |
Kalamáta |
|
|
| Kastoria |
Kostur |
Kastoriá |
|
|
| Kastrion |
Kastricë |
Kastríon |
|
|
| Katavothra |
Luarat |
Katavóthra |
|
|
| Kavala |
Kavallë |
Kavála |
|
|
| Lekhovon |
Lehovë |
Lékhovon |
|
|
| Livadeia |
Livadhja |
Livadeiá |
|
|
| Margariti |
Margëllëç, Margëlliç |
Margaríti |
|
|
| Messolonghi |
Mesolongji, Meslonjë |
Messolongí |
|
|
| Metsovo |
Mecovë, Meçovë |
Métsovo |
|
|
| Narkissos |
Arcë |
Narkíssos |
|
|
| Othoni |
Thonuz |
Othoní |
|
|
| Paramithia |
Paramithi |
Paramithiá |
|
|
| Parapotamos |
Varfanj |
Parapótamos |
|
|
| Patras |
Patër |
Pátra |
|
|
| Peloponnese |
Moré, Peloponez |
Pelopónnisos |
|
|
| Perdika |
Arpicë |
Perdika |
|
|
| Plataria |
Pllotarë |
Platariá |
|
|
| Pogoniani |
Voshtinë |
Pogonianí |
|
|
| Ptolemaida |
Kajlar |
Ptolemaïda |
|
|
| Sagiada |
Sajadhë |
Sagiáda |
|
|
| Stavroupoli |
Kristopojë |
Stavrúpoli |
|
|
| Syvota |
Volë |
Sývota |
|
|
| Themelon |
Taban |
Themélon |
|
|
| Thesprotikon |
Lelovë |
Thesprotikón |
|
|
| Thessaloniki |
Selanik |
Thessalonikí |
|
|
| Trikala |
Tërkallë, Trikallë |
Tríkala |
|
|
| Tripoli |
Tripolicë |
Tripolí |
|
|
| Vuvousa |
Vuvucë |
Vuvúsa |
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
| Cerzeto |
Qana |
|
|
|
| Chieuti |
Qefti |
|
|
|
| Civita |
Cifti |
|
|
|
| Falconara Albanese |
Fallkunara |
|
|
|
| Firmo |
Ferma |
|
|
|
| Frascineto |
Frasnitha |
|
|
|
| Genoa |
Gjenovë |
Genova |
Italian |
|
| Lungro |
Ungra |
|
|
|
| Macchia Albanese |
Maqi |
|
|
|
| Maschito |
Mashqiti |
|
|
|
| Mezzioiuso |
Munxifsi |
|
|
|
| Mongrassano |
Mongrasana |
|
|
|
| Montecilfone |
Munxhfune |
|
|
|
| Palazzo Adriano |
Palaci |
|
|
|
| Pallagorio |
Puherio |
|
|
|
| Piana dei Greci |
Hora e Arbëreshëvet |
|
|
|
| Plataci |
Pllatani |
|
|
|
| Portocannone |
Portokanuni |
|
|
|
| San Basile |
Shën Vasili |
|
|
|
| San Benedetto Ullano |
Shën Benedhiti |
|
|
|
| San Cosmo Albanese |
Strighari |
|
|
|
| San Constantino Albanese |
Shën Kostadini |
|
|
|
| San Demetrio Corone |
Shën Mitri |
|
|
|
| San Giacomo di Cerzetu |
Shën Japku |
|
|
|
| San Giorgio di Albanese |
Mbuzati |
|
|
|
| San Martino di San Finita |
Shën Murtiri |
|
|
|
| San Marzano di San Giuseppe |
Shën Marcani |
|
|
|
| San Nicola dell'Alto |
Shën Kolli |
|
|
|
| San Paolo Albanese |
Shën Pali |
|
|
|
| Santa Catarina Albanese |
Picilia |
|
|
|
| Santa Cristina Gela |
Sendahstina |
|
|
|
| Santa Sofia d'Epiro |
Shën Sofia |
|
|
|
| Spezzano Albanese |
Spixano |
|
|
|
| Trieste |
Trieshtë |
|
|
|
| Ururi |
Ruri |
|
|
|
| Vaccarizzo Albanese |
Vakarici |
|
|
|
| Vena di Maide |
Vina |
|
|
|
| Venice |
Venedik |
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 |
| 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 |
| Bar |
Tivar |
Bar |
Montenegrin |
|
| Bijelo Polje |
Bellopojë |
Bijelo Polje |
Montenegrin |
|
| Budva |
Buduë |
Budva |
Montenegrin |
|
| Cetinje |
Cetinë |
Cetinje |
Montenegrin |
|
| Gusinja |
Guci, Gusi |
Gusinja |
Montenegrin |
|
| Kolašin |
Koloshin |
Kolašin |
Montenegrin |
|
| Nikšić |
Nikshiq |
Nikšić |
Montenegrin |
|
| Plav |
Plavë |
Plav |
Montenegrin |
|
| Pljevlje |
Plevlë |
Pljevlje |
Montenegrin |
|
| Podgorica |
Podogoricë; Anamal, Burguriçë |
Podgorica |
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 Holanda |
|---|
| 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 |
| Bitola |
Manastir[3] |
Bitola |
Macedonian |
|
| Dibra |
Dibër[3] |
Debar |
Macedonian |
|
| Gevgelia |
Gjevgjeli |
Gevgelja |
Macedonian |
|
| Kicevo |
Uskanë[3] |
Kičevo |
Macedonian |
|
| Kocani |
Koçan |
Kočani |
Macedonian |
|
| Kratovo |
Arvanjë |
Kratovo |
Macedonian |
|
| Krusevo |
Arbinesh |
Kruševo |
Macedonian |
|
| Ohrid |
Ohër, Ohri[3] |
Ohrid |
Macedonian |
|
| Prilep |
Përlep |
Prilep |
Macedonian |
|
| Radovis |
Radovisht |
Radoviš |
Macedonian |
|
| Resen |
Resnjë |
Resen |
Macedonian |
|
| Sar Mountains |
Bjeshkët e Sharrit, Malet e Sharrit, Mali i Sharrit[3] |
Šar Mountains |
Macedonian |
|
| Skopje |
Shkup[3] |
Skopje |
Macedonian |
|
| Sveti Nikole |
Arbanas |
Sveti Nikole |
Macedonian |
|
| Valandovo |
Vallandovë |
Valandovo |
Macedonian |
|
| Zajas |
Zajaz |
Zajas |
Macedonian |
|
Oman
 Oman Omani |
|---|
| English name |
Albanian name |
Endonym |
Notes |
| Name |
Language |
| Muskat |
Muskat |
Masqaṭ |
Arabic |
|
Russia
 Russia Rusia |
|---|
| English name |
Albanian name |
Endonym |
Notes |
| Name |
Language |
| Moscow |
Moskë |
Moskva |
Russian |
|
| Saint Petersburg |
Shën-Pjetërburgu |
Sankt-Peterburg |
Russian |
|
Saudi Arabia
 Saudi Arabia Arabia Saudite |
|---|
| English name |
Albanian name |
Endonym |
Notes |
| Name |
Language |
| Medina |
Medina |
Madīna |
Arabic |
|
| Mecca |
Meka |
Makkah |
Arabic |
|
Serbia
 Serbia Serbia |
|---|
| English name |
Albanian name |
Endonym |
Notes |
| Name |
Language |
| Blace |
Bllacë |
Blace |
Serbian |
|
| Bujanovac |
Bujanoc |
Bujanovac |
Serbian |
|
| Kuršumlija |
Kurshumli |
Kuršumlija |
Serbian |
|
| Leskovac |
Leskoc |
Leskovac |
Serbian |
Also known in Albanian as Leshkuq |
| Medveđa |
Medvegjë |
Medveđa |
Serbian |
|
| Novi Pazar |
Pazar i Ri, Treg i Ri |
Novi Pazar |
Serbian |
|
| Prokuplje |
Përkuple |
Prokuplje |
Serbian |
|
| Sjenica |
Senicë |
Sjenica |
Serbian |
|
| Vlasotince |
Vllasotincë |
Vlasotince |
Serbian |
|
| Vranje |
Vrajë |
Vranje |
Serbian |
|
Somalia
 Somalia Somalia |
|---|
| English name |
Albanian name |
Endonym |
Notes |
| Name |
Language |
| Mogadishu |
Mogadishu |
Muqdisho |
Somali |
|
Switzerland
.svg.png) Switzerland Zvicra |
|---|
| English name |
Albanian name |
Endonym |
Notes |
| Name |
Language |
| Geneva |
Gjenevë |
Genèvre |
French |
|
| Genf |
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 |
| Kyiv |
Kiev |
Kyiv |
Ukrainian |
|
United Kingdom
.svg.png) 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 |
|
Uzbekistan
 Uzbekistan Uzbekistani |
|---|
| English name |
Albanian name |
Endonym |
Notes |
| Name |
Language |
| Tashkent |
Tashkent |
Toshkent |
Uzbek |
|
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.
- 1 2 Gillian Gloyer. The Bradt Travel Guide Albania. 3rd edition. Bradt Travel Guides, 2008. ISBN 978-1-84162-246-0.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 KNAB, the Place Names Database of EKI