këmbëzë

Këmbëzë is an Albanian noun that refers to a foot or specifically the toes. The word derives from the root këmbë, which means “foot” in standard Albanian, and the suffix -zë which can serve as an augmentative or a diminutive depending on regional usage. In everyday speech the term is most often employed to describe the lower extremity of the human or animal body, especially when referring to the separate parts of the foot such as the toes.

In Albanian folk culture, këmbëzë appears in various proverbs and idiomatic expressions that highlight the importance of walking, travel, and movement. For example, the saying “më synohetmë në këmbëzë” (to be suffering in the feet) is used to describe someone experiencing persistent physical discomfort. The word is also used in literal descriptions in textbooks, medical literature, and anatomical studies, where precise terminology is necessary.

Little is known about the term outside of its literal meaning, and it is not commonly used as a place name or proper noun. It remains a straightforward lexical item in the Albanian language that exemplifies how a simple body part term can permeate everyday speech and cultural references.