Katër

Katër is the Albanian word for the cardinal number four. It is used in standard Albanian and throughout its dialects, including Gheg and Tosk, and appears in mathematics, counting, dates, and everyday expressions of quantity.

Etymology and cognates: The form katër is part of the native Albanian numeral system. Its exact historical origin is debated, but it is generally considered to descend from the Proto-Indo-European numeral for four and has distant cognates in many Indo-European languages.

Orthography and pronunciation: Katër is spelled with the letter ë, a mid-central vowel in Albanian phonology, and is typically pronounced with a single stress on the first syllable. The vowel sound and terminal r are characteristic of Albanian phonology.

Usage and distribution: Katër is used throughout Albania, Kosovo, parts of North Macedonia and Montenegro, and within Albanian-speaking diasporas. It is a basic numeral and, like other cardinal numbers, remains invariable with noun gender in standard Albanian grammar.