ju lutem
In Albanian, please is expressed as ju lutem. Wiktionary also lists të lutem.
Meaning: interjection to make a polite request (intj)
Ways to say it
| Albanian | IPA |
|---|---|
| ju lutem | |
| të lutem | /təˈlutem/ |
Both të lutem and ju lutem are used as interjections to make polite requests.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ju lutem literally means 'I pray to you'. It is composed of ju, which is the formal or plural 'you' and lutem, which is the first-person singular of the verb meaning 'to pray' or 'to beseech'.
Which one should you use?
ju lutem is the formal version used when addressing a stranger, an elder, a superior or a group of people.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ju lutem is used when addressing more than one person, regardless of the level of formality.
Did you know?
- The word ju is a distant relative of the English word 'you'. Both can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root *yúHs.
- While ju lutem is used for 'please', the root verb lut is also used for the act of praying to a deity.
- In some traditional contexts, the act of 'beseeching' implied by lutem carries a stronger emotional weight than the English 'please'.
Examples in context
- Mund të ma shpjegosh të lutem.Can you explain it to me, please?This sentence is useful for asking someone to explain something using të lutem.Tatoeba #1978858 by Ylberi, translation #4731141 by hajenso
- Mund te me telefononi perseri me vone ju lutem?Could you call again later, please?This sentence is useful for requesting a phone call later using ju lutem.Tatoeba #1723504 by Ylberi, translation #1824 by CK
- Më telefono, të lutem.Call me, please.This sentence is useful for asking someone to call you using të lutem.Tatoeba #6983358 by aln, translation #8794857 by dq
- Mund të më ndihmoni, ju lutem?Can you help me, please?
- Paguaj, ju lutem.Pay, please.
- Të lutem, mund të më jepni adresën tuaj?Please, can you give me your address?
- Të lutem, mund ta përsërisni?Please, can you repeat it?
- Mund të më ndihmoni me përkthimin e këtij dokumenti, ju lutem?Can you assist me with the translation of this document, please?
- Kam dëshirë për një kafe të fortë, lutem.I would like a strong coffee, please.
- Të lutem, a mund të më thoni se ku ndodhet stacioni i trenit?Please, can you tell me where the train station is?
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Majlinda is asking Alban for a glass of water.
- MajlindaNjë gotë ujë, ju lutem.A glass of water, please.
- AlbanPo, sigurisht, Majlinda.Yes, of course, Majlinda.
- MajlindaFaleminderit shumë, Alban.Thank you very much, Alban.
- AlbanS'ka problem!No problem!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “please” translations and entries të lutem, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ju, lutem, të, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
