mbrojtësit

Mbrojtësit is the definite plural form of the Albanian noun mbrojtës, meaning protectors or defenders. It is used to refer to individuals or groups whose role is to protect, guard, or uphold the interests, rights, or safety of others. The term can be applied across a range of contexts, from sports to law, security, and civil society.

In Albanian, the word mbrojtës derives from the verb mbrojt, meaning to protect, with the agentive suffix -ës. The noun forms include mbrojtës (indefinite singular or plural), mbrojtësi (definite singular, the protector), and mbrojtësit (definite plural, the protectors/the defenders). The definite plural mbrojtësit is used when speaking about specific protectors already identified or known to the listener.

Common domains for the term include sports, where mbrojtës denotes a defender in football and other team sports; security and law enforcement, where individuals or units protect people or property; cybersecurity and data protection, where professionals safeguard information; and human rights or civil society contexts, where activists or organizations serve as mbrojtës of rights and dignity.

Examples of usage: "Mbrojtësit në ekip dhanë një performancë të fortë dhe frymëzuese," meaning the defenders on the team delivered a strong and inspiring performance. "Në kuadër të të drejtave të njeriut, mbrojtësit luftuan për mbrojtjen e të drejtave fundamentale." The term emphasizes the active role of those who shield others from harm or threat.