kërko

Kërko is an Albanian verb meaning to seek or to look for, and it is also used in the sense of asking for something. It covers both concrete searches, such as looking for an object, and abstract searches, such as seeking information or seeking help. The verb is commonly found in everyday speech as well as in formal writing. Examples include asking for forgiveness (kërkoj falje), seeking work (kërkoj punë), or seeking an answer (kërkoj një përgjigje).

Grammatical notes: Kërko is conjugated like a regular Albanian verb in most tenses. In the present tense, forms include unë kërkoj, ti kërkon, ai/ajo kërkon, ne kërkojmë, ju kërkoni, ata/ato kërkojnë. The simple past is typically rendered as unë kërkova, ti kërkove, ai kërkoi, ne kërkuam, ju kërkuat, ata kërkuan. The perfect tense uses the participle kërkuar (e.g., kam kërkuar). The imperative mood has singular form kërko and plural/formal form kërkoni. The participle used to form compound tenses is kërkuar, and related noun forms include kërkim (a search or inquiry) and kërkues (a seeker).

Usage notes: The verb often appears with prepositional or clausal complements such as kërkohet (it is sought), kërkova një informacion, or kërkoj përgjigje. It can govern direct objects (kërkoj diçka) and set phrases expressing requests or inquiries. Its semantic range makes it a core verb in discussing information gathering, needs, and social exchanges.

Etymology: The exact historical origin is not fully resolved, but kërko is an established core verb in Albanian with widespread use across dialects.

See also: Albanian grammar, verb conjugation, related nouns such as kërkim and kërkues.