pse
/pse/
The Albanian word for "why" is pse. Wiktionary also lists përse.
Meaning: (interrogative) for what reason (adv)
Ways to say it
| Albanian | IPA |
|---|---|
| pse | /pse/ |
| përse | /pəɾˈsɛ/ |
Both pse and përse are used as interrogative adverbs to ask for a reason.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both pse and përse function as interrogative adverbs in a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
/pse/
Did you know?
- In an argumentative context, repeating pse, pse, pse rapidly is a cultural way of demanding an immediate justification.
- The word përse is built from për, meaning 'for', and se, meaning 'because'.
- Albanian often uses pse in a way that mirrors the English 'why' but allows it to be placed at the end of a sentence for emphasis.
Examples in context
- Pse gjithçka po shkon keq?Why does everything go wrong?Tatoeba #4963690 by drilon90, translation #4960630 by DarkHollow
- Faleminderit qe me keni shpjeguar me ne fund pse njerzit me marrin mua per nje idiot.Thanks for having explained to me at last why people take me for an idiot.Tatoeba #1723475 by Ylberi, translation #1401 by chanchan
- Përse ishe në burg?Why were you in prison?Tatoeba #7003919 by aln, translation #2645599 by CK
- Pse ndalove makinën?Why did you stop the car?
- Pse nuk u prezantove?Why didn't you introduce yourself?
- Ju lutem, pse e keni ndërprerë seancën?Excuse me, why did you interrupt the session?
- Ju pyes, pse jeni vonë?I ask you, why are you late?
- Pse nuk e mbyllët derën?Why didn't you close the door?
- E shikon këtë film? – Pse?Are you watching this movie? – Why?
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ervin and Tea are talking about a cancelled plan.
- ErvinPse nuk erdhe në takim dje?Why didn't you come to the meeting yesterday?
- TeaKisha shumë punë dhe nuk munda.I had a lot of work and I couldn't.
- ErvinPse nuk më dërgove një mesazh?Why didn't you send me a message?
- TeaMë fal, Tea harroi telefonin në shtëpi.I'm sorry, Tea forgot the phone at home.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “why” translations and entries pse, përse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pse, përse, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
