mendimi

Mendimi is an Albanian noun meaning the thought or the opinion when used in its definite singular form. The indefinite form mendim means a thought or an opinion in general, while the plural mendimet corresponds to the thoughts or opinions. Albanian marks definiteness with suffixes rather than separate articles, so mendimi signals a definite reference and mendim signals an indefinite one. The word is formed from the root mend- “to think” plus the nominalizing suffix -im, with the definite suffix -i.

Usage of mendimi is common in both formal writing and everyday speech. For example, mendimi im është se duhet të largohemi translates to “my thought is that we should leave.” The plural mendimet can express “the opinions” as in Mendimet e qytetarëve ndryshuan politikën, meaning “the citizens’ opinions changed the policy.” In various contexts mendimi appears in compounds or fixed expressions related to thinking and opinion, and it can be contrasted with other Albanian terms for opinion depending on formality and nuance.

Cross-linguistic notes: In Turkish, mendil denotes a tissue or handkerchief, and it is not related to the Albanian mendim/mendimi. The form mendimi does not occur natively in Turkish. Capitalized Mendimi may function as a surname or a place name in Albanian-speaking communities or among diaspora populations.

See also: Mendil; Albanian language; Turkish language; opinion.