Jam and kam: to be and to have
The two most important verbs. Jam "to be" is never left out: Jam mjek — "I'm a doctor". Kam "to have" is used for possession and for many states: Kam uri — "I'm hungry".
Forms
Both verbs are irregular — just learn the forms.
| person | jam | kam |
|---|---|---|
| unë | jam | kam |
| ti | je | ke |
| ai, ajo | është | ka |
| ne | jemi | kemi |
| ju | jeni | keni |
| ata, ato | janë | kanë |
Jam — to be
Jam is always there: Ana është mësuese — "Ana is a teacher", Jemi në shtëpi — "We're at home". Age also takes jam: Jam 30 vjeç — "I'm 30" (for a woman, vjeçe). Professions go without një: Jam mjek — "I'm a doctor".
Kam — to have, and states
Kam një vëlla — "I have a brother", Ke kohë? — "Do you have time?". Many states also take kam: kam uri — "I'm hungry", kam etje — "I'm thirsty", kam ftohtë — "I'm cold", kam vapë — "I'm hot", kam të drejtë — "I'm right", kam nevojë për ndihmë — "I need help".
Ka — "there is"
Ka without a subject means "there is, there are": Ka një farmaci afër? — "Is there a pharmacy nearby?", Ka shumë njerëz — "There are a lot of people". "There isn't" is nuk ka or s'ka: S'ka bukë — "There's no bread".