Zotëruesit

Zotëruesit is an Albanian noun meaning "the owners" or "the masters." It is the plural form of zotërues, which denotes a person who possesses or has control over property, land, resources, or a household. The term is used in everyday language as well as in formal or historical writing to refer to people who hold property rights, such as landowners or landlords. In historical contexts it often denotes those who exercised economic or social authority in agrarian communities, sometimes in contrast with tenants, laborers, or dependents.

Etymology: Zotërues originates from zotëri, meaning "master" or "lord," with the plural suffix -ërët and the possessive/agentive ending -ues. In modern Albanian usage, zotërues remains primarily a neutral term for a property possessor, though it can acquire formal or archaic connotations in certain contexts.

Usage: In legal, administrative, and archival texts, zotëruesit designate the holders of property rights, titles, or custodial responsibilities. In historical narratives, they refer to prominent landowners and the economic elite of a region. In everyday speech, it can refer to any person who owns something, from a house to a business.

Notes: The term carries a notion of ownership and responsibility and is distinct from pronar, which is a more contemporary term for owner in everyday usage. Related forms include zotëri (master), zotëri i shtëpisë (head of the household), and pronar (owner).