frikë

Frikë is the Albanian noun for fear, an emotion and response to a perceived threat or danger. It can refer to a specific fear of a situation or object, as well as to a more general sense of anxiety or unease. The term covers everyday fears as well as more intense feelings that can affect behavior.

In Albanian, frikë is a common part of everyday language. It is used in phrases such as frikë nga diçka (fear of something) and in expressions describing the degree of fear, for example frikë e madhe (great fear) or frikë e tepërt (excessive fear). The word functions across dialects and registers, from casual speech to literary and media contexts.

Frikë is discussed in both cultural and scientific contexts. In psychology, the related term fobi (phobia) is used for clinically significant fears, distinguishing them from ordinary frikë. In everyday life, frikë can motivate precaution and careful behavior, or, when excessive, may contribute to avoidance and distress.

Culturally, fear appears in Albanian folklore, literature, and discourse about courage, resilience, and moral conduct. Frikë can thus reflect personal experience as well as social expectations, including fears related to safety, reputation, or uncertainty about the future. As a basic human emotion, frikë interacts with other feelings such as hope and courage in discourse and storytelling.