këqja

Këqja is a noun in Albanian that denotes evil, wrongdoing, harm, or general badness. It refers to moral negativity and to actions, traits, or forces that cause damage, injustice, or suffering. The opposite concept is mira, or the good.

Linguistic notes indicate thatkëqja is formed from the adjective keq, meaning bad or evil, with the suffix -ja to create an abstract noun. It is a standard term in modern Albanian and appears in formal writing, religious and philosophical discourse, as well as everyday speech.

Usage and context: Këqja is used to describe personal vice (for example, harmful behavior by an individual) as well as collective harm (systemic or societal wrongdoing). In ethical, religious, and political discussions, it may refer to actions or forces judged as morally negative. In literature and folklore, këqja often serves as a foil to the good and as a focal point for conflict, reform, or moral reflection.

Related concepts include the opposite mira (the good) and, in some contexts, phrases that denote moral evaluation or condemnation of actions. The term is widely understood across Albanian-speaking communities and appears in idioms, proverbs, and contemporary prose alike.

See also: mira, keq, Albanian ethics and literature, Albanian idioms about good and evil.