Keyboard shortcuts
| Letter | Windows (Alt code) | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| ë Ë | Alt + 0235 / 0203 | Option + U, then E |
| ç Ç | Alt + 0231 / 0199 | Option + C |
Mac: On a Mac, press Option + U, let go, then type e to get ë (Shift + E for Ë). Option + C types ç and Option + Shift + C types Ç. You can also add the Albanian input source in System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources.
Windows: On Windows, turn on Num Lock, hold Alt and type 0235 for ë or 0231 for ç on the numeric keypad. To write Albanian every day, add the Albanian keyboard in Settings > Time & language > Language & region: ë and ç have their own keys.
iPhone and Android: On iPhone and Android, press and hold e for ë and c for ç, or add the Albanian keyboard.
How ë and ç sound
Albanian only needs two letters beyond the English alphabet, but you will type them constantly. ë is one of the most frequent letters in the language.
- ë is a relaxed “uh”, like the “a” in “about”: është (is), mirë (good), Shqipëri (Albania). At the end of a word it is often barely pronounced, but it is still written.
- ç sounds like the “ch” in “church”: çaj (tea), çfarë (what), çdo (every).
- Don't confuse ç with q: q is a softer sound made further back, somewhere between “ch” and “ky”, as in qen (dog).
The Albanian digraphs
The Albanian alphabet has 36 letters. Nine of them are written with two characters, and they count as single letters: dh, gj, ll, nj, rr, sh, th, xh and zh.
- sh as in “ship”: shqip (Albanian), shumë (very). zh as in “pleasure”: zhurmë (noise).
- xh as in “jam”: xhaxha (uncle). gj is close to the English “j”, softer: gjuha (language).
- dh as in “this” and th as in “think”: dhe (and), thënë (said).
- ll is a dark, thick l, rr a rolled r, and nj like the Spanish ñ: një (one).
Writing ë and ç online
In quick messages, many Albanians type e and c instead of ë and ç. People will understand you, but it is not correct spelling, and it can make words harder to read: mire for mirë, cfare for çfarë. In emails, school work and anything formal, use the real letters.
Frequently asked questions
How do I type ë on a keyboard?
On Windows, hold Alt and type 0235 on the numeric keypad (0203 for Ë). On a Mac, press Option+U, then E. On a phone, press and hold the e key and choose ë. You can also click ë on this page and copy it.
How do I type ç?
On Windows, hold Alt and type 0231 on the numeric keypad (0199 for Ç). On a Mac, press Option+C. On a phone, press and hold the c key.
How many letters are in the Albanian alphabet?
36. That includes ë and ç plus nine digraphs written with two characters: dh, gj, ll, nj, rr, sh, th, xh and zh.
Can I write e instead of ë in Albanian?
It is common in informal texts, but it is a spelling mistake. ë is a different vowel, and dropping it makes many words harder to read.