Zotë

Zotë is an Albanian term connected with ownership and authority, appearing in verb, noun, and title forms. The primary verb zotëroj means to own, possess, or have control over something. Noun forms such as zotëri and zotëria designate a master or proprietor and have historically been used as titles of respect for men in formal or literary Albanian. The common religious form Zoti, capitalized, refers to God and also appears in traditional expressions and prayers.

Etymology and development: Zotë is an old Albanian term; its precise origin is debated. It is generally linked to the semantic field of lordship and possession and is the source of related forms such as zotër and zotëri as well as the verb zotëroj. The word has remained productive in standard Albanian, with different registers for everyday speech and for formal or liturgical language.

Usage: In contemporary Albanian, zotë mainly surfaces as the verb zotëroj. The noun forms zotëri and zotëria appear in historical or formal contexts and in fixed phrases such as “zotëri i shtëpisë” (master of the house). The religious use Zoti remains common when referring to God. Some dialects preserve additional variants and nuances, but the core meanings center on possession, mastery, and authority.

See also: Zoti; zotëri; zotëria.