Lëngshëm

Lëngshëm is an Albanian adjective meaning juicy, succulent, or moist, used to describe foods that retain their natural juices or have a tender, flavorful texture. The word derives from lëng, meaning juice or liquid, combined with the adjectival suffix -shëm to form a descriptor of quality.

In standard Albanian, lëngshëm agrees with the noun in gender and number. Examples include mish i lëngshëm for a juicy piece of meat and frutat e lëngshme for juicy fruits. The feminine form is lëngshme, and the masculine form is lëngshëm.

Usage is common in culinary writing, menus, and everyday speech to emphasize moistness and flavor, particularly in meats, fruits, vegetables, and prepared dishes. The term suggests that natural juices are retained rather than lost during cooking, and it can convey tenderness and succulence as part of a desirable texture. While it primarily describes edible items, it can also appear in figurative language to evoke vividness or richness of flavor in non-literal contexts.

Regional and linguistic notes: lëngshëm is widely understood across Albanian-speaking regions, including Albania, Kosovo, and Albanian communities abroad. It forms part of everyday vocabulary for cooks, food writers, and diners, providing a concise way to express a desirable sensory quality.