njëlloj

Njëlloj is a word in Albanian that expresses sameness or similarity. It functions as an adjective or an adverb and is used to describe things that belong to the same kind or category, or to indicate likeness between items. The form is historically composed of two parts: një (one) and lloj (kind/type).

In standard Albanian, the expression meaning “a kind of” or “a type of” is typically written as two words: një lloj. The single-word form njëlloj appears in some dialects and in colloquial writing and is listed as a variant in some dictionaries. The choice between njël lloj and njëlloj can reflect register, dialect, or personal preference.

Semantics and usage:

- As a determiner before a noun, njëlloj marks category membership: for example,nje lloj ushqimi means “a kind of food.” In this sense, it is close to the meaning of “a type of.”

- As an indicator of similarity, it can function in contexts where English would use “similar” or “like.” The emphasis is on likeness rather than exact identity.

Grammatical notes:

- Because it encodes sameness rather than identity, njëlloj contrasts with forms that express exact sameness or repetition, such as i njëjti (the same).

- The choice between the two-word "një lloj" and the fused "njëlloj" depends on dialect, formality, and writer preference.

See also:

- Albanian morphology

- Albanian adjectives

- Comparison in Albanian

References:

- Albanian dictionaries and grammars that record both the two-word and fused forms.