Mbështeti

Mbështeti is an Albanian verb meaning to support, to back, or to prop up, and it is used in both physical and figurative contexts. It can refer to providing material or moral backing, as well as endorsing a cause, policy, or idea. The related noun mbështetje expresses the concept of support or backing.

Grammatically, mbështet is the infinitive form meaning “to support.” The past tense form for the third-person singular is mbështeti, as in “Ai mbështeti familjen e tij” (He supported his family). The past participle is mbështetur, used in compound tenses such as “kam mbështetur” (I have supported). The derived noun mbështetje means “support” or “backing,” and mbështetës denotes a “supporter” or advocate.

Usage in Albanian covers various senses. In physical contexts, it can mean to prop up or shore up an object. In social or political contexts, it means to lend backing or endorsement. The verb also appears in phrases such as “mbështet ideën” (to back the idea) or “qeveria mbështet reformën” (the government supports the reform).

Etymology and related forms are centered on the same root. Related terms include mbështetje (support/backing) and mbështetës (supporter/advocate). The word is used across standard Albanian and is common in both formal and informal registers.

See also: mbështetje, mbështetës.