padrejtë

Padrejtë is an Albanian adjective used to describe behavior, individuals, or actions that are unfair, disrespectful, or shameless. It conveys a lack of justice, fairness, or regard for others’ rights and norms. The related noun padrejtësi means injustice or unfairness. In everyday language, padrejtë can apply to both private conduct and public actions, often with a strong moral evaluation.

Etymology and grammar: The term is formed from the negation prefix pa- attached to drejt, meaning “right” or “fair.” The suffix -ë marks it as a standard Albanian adjective in its masculine singular form; feminine and plural forms follow regular Albanian grammar patterns. The expression is common across standard Albanian varieties and is used in Albania, Kosovo, and Albanian-speaking communities in neighboring regions.

Usage: Padrejtë describes acts or people deemed not to respect fairness, rights, or social norms. It frequently appears in journalism, political discourse, literature, and everyday speech to condemn perceived unfairness or lack of decency. Example phrases include veprimet e padrejta (unjust actions) and një person padrejtë (an unjust person). The word can range from describing minor perceived unfairness to labeling deeply unethical behavior, depending on context and tone.

See also: Drejtësi (justice); Padrejtësi (injustice); Të padrejtë (the unjust/unfair).