Shqiptare

Shqiptare is the Albanian demonym and feminine form of an adjective used to describe people who are ethnically Albanian or who identify with Albanian nationality. In Albanian, the masculine form is shqiptar, the feminine form shqiptare, and the plural form shqiptarë. The term also functions as an adjective in phrases such as kultura shqiptare (Albanian culture) or gjuhë shqipe (the Albanian language, with shqipe as the feminine adjective form).

Etymology of shqiptar is debated. It is generally linked to the ethnonym of Albanians and to the name of the land Shqipëria (often rendered as “land of the Shqiptar”). The root shqip- appears in the word shqip, which denotes the Albanian language or speech. Some scholars also relate the ethnonym to historical names such as Arbër/Arbëria or various medieval exonyms used in neighboring languages. While there is no single universally agreed origin, shqiptar is widely understood as the self-designation of Albanians and as the standard ethnonym in contemporary Albanian.

Usage and scope of the term extend beyond the modern state of Albania. Shqiptarët are recognized as Albanians by ethnicity, while citizens of Albania may also identify as shqiptarë. The term is used in Albania, Kosovo, parts of North Macedonia and Montenegro, and among Albanian communities in the diaspora. It carries neutral to culturally affirming connotations, though like many national identifiers, its emphasis can vary with context, politics, or regional history.

See also: Arban/Arber, Arbër, Albanian language, Albanian ethnogenesis.