ngjalë

Albanian

Alternative forms

• njalë

Etymology

Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂engʷʰ- (“water-worm”). Compare Ancient Greek ἔγχελυς (énkhelus, “eel”), Latin anguilla (“eel”), Old High German angar (“mealworm, larva, grub”). Occasionally connected to what is believed to be the Illyrian etymon of the demonym of the Enchelei.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɲɟalə/, [ɲɟ͡ʝäːl(ɜ)]

Noun

ngjalë f (plural ngjala, definite ngjala, definite plural ngjalat)

1. eel

   Ky lumë është i njohur për numrin e madh të ngjalave.

   This river is known for its large number of eels.

2. (figurative) crafty, cunning person. fox

Declension

Declension of ngjalë

	singular		plural
	indefinite	definite	indefinite	definite
nominative	ngjalë	ngjala	ngjala	ngjalat
accusative		ngjalën
dative	ngjale	ngjalës	ngjalave	ngjalave
ablative			ngjalash

Derived terms

• ngjalan, ngjalistër, ngjalishëm

Further reading

• “ngjalë”, in FGJSH: Fjalor i gjuhës shqipe [Dictionary of the Albanian language] (in Albanian), 2006