Nxënës

Nxënës is an Albanian noun meaning a pupil or student. It refers to a person who attends an educational institution and participates in the process of learning. The term is most commonly used for learners in primary and secondary education, including elementary through high school. For learners in higher education, the term student is more usual, though nxënës may still appear in certain contexts such as adult education programs or discussions of early learning.

In Albanian, the word has gendered forms. The masculine singular is typically nxënësi, while the feminine singular is nxënëse, with corresponding plural forms used to denote groups of learners. The definite forms follow standard Albanian grammar, such as nxënësi for “the pupil” and nxënësit for “the pupils,” with similar patterns for feminine forms in their own contexts. The noun is widely used in schools, media, and everyday speech.

The concept of nxënës encompasses the expectation of following a curriculum, attending classes, completing assignments, and taking examinations. It is central to discussions of education policy, schooling, and youth development. The term is applicable across Albanian-speaking regions, including Albania and Kosovo, as well as in diaspora communities, where it remains a neutral, widely understood designation for students in the school system.