The Curious Case of Albanian “Çëmbra”: Documenting the Hidden Tirana Slang
Growing up in Tirana, Albania’s capital, I was introduced to a myriad of dialects and slangs. While many of the primary dialects have been well-documented, one unique linguistic style, predominantly used by Tirana’s urban youth called “Çëmbra”, seemed to be underrepresented.
This article aims to shed light on the unique words and meanings of Çëmbra. A detailed list is provided towards the end for reference.
Introducing Çëmbra: The Albanian “Verlan”
The French have Verlan, a form of linguistic inversion where syllables or letters of words are flipped. It’s an urban slang that originated from the suburbs of Paris and has since permeated mainstream culture.
For instance, the word “l’envers” (meaning reverse) becomes “verlan”. Similarly, “femme” (woman) transforms into “meuf”.
In a similar fashion, Albanian Çëmbra inverts syllables to give old words a new life. A similar play is seen in its name, where slang “Mbrapç” (also meaning reverse) turns into Çëmbra.
A Glimpse into its Origins
When I spoke to my father, who is a 73 year old graduate in Albanian literature, asking him if he could speak Çëmbra, he was hesitant at first but then remembered that even in his young high school days, around the late 1960s, there were some youth speaking a version of a reverse language. In his case it was a full reversal of the word, which made it harder to talk on the spot, but gave it’s speakers a lot of street cred.
One documented usage that I have found and many know is from the 1998 comedy “8 Persona Plus” where two of the main characters in an attempt to seem hip speak in Çëmbra:
- “Is ej remo? — Si je more?” (How are you?)
- “Rëmi rëmi, op mike sëpa mëshu nëpu. — Mirë mirë, po kemi pas shumë punë.” (Good good, but we’ve been very busy).
In modern days you can find it used in media or by politicians, mostly using the word “naçu” (guy, dude) as a way to refer to a local fellow guy from Tirana, a hood guy.
Why Çëmbra? Understanding its Existence
The essence of Çëmbra mirrors the French Verlan. It’s a tool for identity and distinction. This unique linguistic style signals a defiance of the conventional, especially among Tirana’s youth.
Another mainstream usage in the population is for stealth communication, specially as a way to use curse words in public, or drug related activities as a way to not attract attention. In fact most of the words used in Çëmbra in everyday life are curse words and drug related terms.
One other usage is for playfulness: a way to add some layer of humor to the conversation. I know my brother is quite entertained when I drop an inverted word that he doesn’t know in our conversations.
Deciphering Çëmbra: The Linguistic Patterns
Eventhough it is a spoken linguistic happening, the word forming actually does follow some patterns that are related to the fonetics of the Albanian language itself. Let’s dive into some of the patterns of formation I have found so far:
1. The Classic Two-Syllable Reversal
The most common approach in Çëmbra is to reverse two-syllable words. Some examples are:
- Pexhi (from Xhepi — Pocket)
- Nështu (from Shtunë — Saturday)
- Naçu (from Çuna — Dude)
2. Enhancing Single-Syllable Words
Words that are originally one syllable and end in a consonant undergo a transformation. An “ë” sound is added to the end, creating a new two-syllable word ready for reversal.
- Nëqe (from Qen — Dog)
- Fshërro (from Rrofsh — Thanks)
- Ftëmja (from Mjaft — Enough)
3. The Complex Art of Longer Words
Words that exceed two syllables undergo selective reversal. Typically, the first syllable(s) of the word remains, while a the last syllables undergoes inversion.
- Biçitëkle (from Biçikletë — Bicycle)
- Manëki (from Makinë — Car)
- Linëqe (from Liqeni — Lake)
4. A Rare Glimpse: The Two-Letter Swap
Occasionally, two-letter words are simply reversed. This method occurs only on two letter words.
- Op (from Po — Yes)
- Oj (from Jo — No)
Intuition Over Rules
While the above patterns provide a guideline to understanding Çëmbra, it’s crucial to remember that this is not a standardized language form. Intuition, heavily influenced by the innate structure of the Albanian language, plays a pivotal role. Some words may not fit the patterns perfectly, but for native speakers, the reversed forms often feel “right”.
A complete dictionary of Çëmbra
While keeping in mind that it is a non formal, ever changing form of slang, I will try to document words in Çëmbra that people use commonly so that you too can become a hip “Naçu Tirone”.
For the source of the words I have consulted all the real hood friends I know that have taught me this wonderful slang. Let’s dive in!
| | Çëmbra word | Real word | Meaning |
|----|-------------|-----------|-----------------------------------------------|
| 1 | Biba | Babi | Dad |
| 2 | Biçitëkle | Biçikletë | Bicycle |
| 3 | Cago | Goca | Gals |
| 4 | Cipoli | Polici | Police |
| 5 | Dhipi | Pidhi | Slang word for female genitalia |
| 6 | Feka | Kafe | Coffee |
| 7 | Fshërro | Rrofsh | Thanks |
| 8 | Ftëmja | Mjaft | Enough, stop |
| 9 | Gëdro | Drogë | Drugs |
| 10 | Jaçe | Çaj | Slit, cut |
| 11 | Jago | Goja | Mouth |
| 12 | Këbu | Bukë | Meal, bread |
| 13 | Kële | Lek | Money |
| 14 | Këte | Teke | A blunt or a shot of alcohol |
| 15 | Kopla | Plako | Dude, old man |
| 16 | Lasto | Stola | Benches |
| 17 | Lëfo | Fol | Speak |
| 18 | Lësti | Stil | Style, cool and calm |
| 19 | Lila | Lali | Dude |
| 20 | Linëqe | Liqeni | Lake |
| 21 | Llëmby | Mbylle | Shut it, shut up |
| 22 | Llëshko | Shkollë | School |
| 23 | Lloka | Kalloi | A joint |
| 24 | Manëki | Makinë | Car |
| 25 | Mëgju | Gjumë | Sleep |
| 26 | Mëshu | Shumë | A lot, too much, many |
| 27 | Mima | Mami | Mom |
| 28 | Naçu | Çuna | Guys |
| 29 | Ndive | Vendi | The place |
| 30 | Nëpu | Punë | Work |
| 31 | Nëqe | Qen | Dog |
| 32 | Nështu | Shtunë | Saturday |
| 33 | Niq | Qin | The slang word for to have sexual intercourse |
| 34 | Op / Oj | Po / Jo | Yes / No |
| 35 | Peje | Jepe | To give |
| 36 | Pëti | Tip | Type, the guy over there |
| 37 | Pexhi | Xhepi | Pocket |
| 38 | Pistotële | Pistoletë | Gun |
| 39 | Rab | Bar | Weed |
| 40 | Rçëpa | Parsh | Forward, the correct order in which to speak |
| 41 | Rëdru | Dru | Baked, high |
| 42 | Refa | Fare | Completely |
| 43 | Rëmi | Mirë | Good |
| 44 | Rika | Kari | The slang word for male genitalia |
| 45 | Rrëbi | Birrë | Beer |
| 46 | Rrëshu | Shurrë | Pee |
| 47 | Rxhëbo | Borxh | To loan, a loan |
| 48 | Sëkla | Klasë | Classroom |
| 49 | Sëmo | Mos | Don't, no |
| 50 | Sëpçe | Pesçe | A 5 dollar bill |
| 51 | Sëqe | Qese | A bag, a unit of measurement for weed |
| 52 | Shëdy | Dysh | Two |
| 53 | Shënji | Njësh | One |
| 54 | Shëtre | Tresh | Three |
| 55 | Shtëgja | Gjashtë | Six |
| 56 | Sipla | Plasi | To not care |
| 57 | Tëdhje | Dhjetë | Ten |
| 58 | Tëdri | Dritë | Light |
| 59 | Tëfle | Fletë | Paper |
| 60 | Telenifo | Telefoni | Phone |
| 61 | Tëmu | Mut | Escrement |
| 62 | Tëpri | Prit | Wait |
| 63 | Tëshne | Shnet | Bless you, see you |
| 64 | Tëshpi | Shtëpi | Home |
| 65 | Tështa | Shtatë | Seven |
| 66 | Tëspa | Spatë | Baked, high |
| 67 | Vanxi | Xivan | A roach, the remaints of a joint |
| 68 | Veça | Çave | To annoy someone |
| 69 | Vërku | Kurvë | A morally dubious woman |
