qërë

The word "qërë" is an Albanian term that generally translates to "black" or "dark." It is used as an adjective to describe colors, the absence of light, or sometimes metaphorical darkness such as that associated with sorrow or evil. For example, "sy të qërë" refers to dark eyes, and "natë e qërë" means a dark night. The word's etymology is rooted in Proto-Albanian and is thought to be related to similar terms in other Indo-European languages that denote darkness or blackness.

In Albanian culture, the color black, and by extension "qërë," can carry various symbolic meanings. Traditionally, it has been associated with mourning and grief, often worn by those in mourning. However, it can also represent elegance, formality, and strength. In some contexts, "qërë" might be used to describe something as unattractive or ominous, depending on the specific phrase and its connotation. The usage of "qërë" is widespread in everyday Albanian language, appearing in a multitude of idiomatic expressions and descriptive phrases.