ndoshta

Albanian

Alternative forms

  • nashta, noshta — Gheg

Etymology

Possibly from ndosh (“to happen”), a secondary formation based on ndodh, + -ta.[n 1][2][3] Alternatively from Serbo-Croatian dȍista / до̏иста (“truly, indeed”), considering the propension of Albanians to put an n before a d.[n 2][1] Compare ndonjëri from do njëri.

Pronunciation

  • (Tosk) IPA(key): [ndoshta]
  • (Gheg) IPA(key): [nɔ̃shta]

Adverb

ndoshta (originally Gheg)[1]

  1. maybe, perhaps
    Synonym: mbase

Notes

  1. ^ Derivation of “maybe” from a verb “to happen” is widespread, compare Ancient Greek τυχόν (tukhón), English perhaps.
  2. ^ Semantically not as straightforward, though compare German fast : fest and Ancient Greek μάλιστα (málista).

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Çabej, E. (1986) Studime gjuhësore (in Albanian), volume I, Prishtinë: Rilindja, pages 370–371
  2. ^ Konica, Faik (14 January 1938) Dielli[1]
  3. ^ Orel, Vladimir E. (1998) “ndoshta”, in Albanian Etymological Dictionary, Leiden, Boston, Köln: Brill, →ISBN, page 287

Further reading

  • Jungg, G. (1895) “nnoscta”, in Fialuur i voghel sccȣp e ltinisct [Small Albanian–Italian dictionary], page 91
  • Bardhi, Frang (1635) Dictionarium Latino Epiroticum (overall work in Latin and Albanian), page 27: “forsan — cuurtae, ndosta”
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