Pijshëm

Pijshëm is an Albanian term used as an adjective derived from the verb pij (to drink). It describes a state of intoxication or drunkenness resulting from the consumption of alcohol. In everyday speech it can be used to refer to a person who has been drinking, but in standard, formal Albanian more common terms for intoxication are i dehur or dehur. Pijshëm therefore sits primarily in informal or colloquial registers and may be heard in spoken language, dialogues, or popular storytelling.

Etymology and form: The word is formed with the suffix -shëm, which in Albanian creates adjectives that denote a characteristic or state related to the root verb. Thus pijshëm literally conveys a “drinking-related” state and by extension an intoxicated condition.

Usage and register: Pijshëm is widely understood in Albanian-speaking regions, including Albania, Kosovo, and parts of North Macedonia and Montenegro, as well as among diaspora communities. Its use varies by region and speaker; it is often regarded as slang or rustic, and may be less appropriate in formal writing or official discourse.

Examples:

- Albanian: Pas festës ai është i pijshëm.

- English: After the party, he is drunk.

Notes: The term reflects a more narrative or colloquial depiction of intoxication rather than a precise clinical or formal description. For neutral or formal contexts, i dehur is typically preferred.