Albanian Body Language: Why Nods Mean No And Shakes Mean Yes
Author
Have you ever asked an Albanian a question, saw them shake their head, and walked away thinking they meant “no”?
You’re definitely not alone!
One of the biggest culture shocks for visitors to Albania is our body language.
In many Western countries, an up-and-down head nod means “yes,” and a side-to-side head shake means “no.” But in Albania, these meanings are completely flipped around.
If you’re planning to visit Albania or learn Albanian, understanding these simple gestures will save you a lot of confusion.
Keep reading, and I’ll explain exactly how to decode these head movements.
Table of Contents:
The head shake that means yes
In Albanian, the word for “yes” is po.
When an Albanian wants to say po using body language, they will shake their head from side to side.
However, it is not a fast, sharp shake like you might see in the United States. Instead, it is a gentle side-to-side wobble. It almost looks like a figure-eight motion, or like they are gently tilting their ear toward their shoulder.
If a waiter asks if you want your food, and you want to say yes, you should use this gentle side-to-side wobble.
Here is a quick example of a conversation where you might see this:
A je gati?
Po.
The upward nod that means no
In Albanian, the word for “no” is jo.
To say jo without speaking, an Albanian will do an upward head nod.
They will slightly lift their chin up in the air and raise their eyebrows. Very often, this upward nod is paired with a clicking sound made with the tongue, which sounds like “tsk.”
Sometimes, if an Albanian is feeling lazy, they won’t even move their head. They will just raise their eyebrows and click their tongue. This also means “no.”
A do kafe?
Jo, faleminderit.
Regional differences and younger generations
You might be wondering: Do all Albanians use these gestures?
The short answer is no. Because Albania is becoming more modern and exposed to international media, body language is starting to change.
Here are a few variations you should know about:
- Younger generations: Teenagers and young adults in big cities like Tirana often use standard Western gestures. They will nod for yes and shake for no.
- Tourist areas: In popular coastal cities like Saranda, hotel and restaurant workers interact with foreigners all day. They will usually use Western gestures so they don’t confuse tourists.
- Kosovo: In Kosovo (where an Albanian dialect is spoken), the body language is mostly Western. People in Kosovo generally nod for yes and shake for no, due to different historical and cultural influences in the region.
Because of this mix, you might sometimes see an older Albanian and a younger Albanian using totally different body language in the same room!
Other useful gestures to know
Aside from the confusing head nods, there are a few other common Albanian gestures that are very helpful to learn.
Here is a simple table of common body language you will see in Albania:
| Gesture | Meaning | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Hand on heart | Thank you / Respect | Used when greeting someone or after receiving a compliment. It shows deep sincerity. |
| Cheek kissing | Hello / Goodbye | Close friends and family will kiss each other on the cheeks (usually two or four times) when greeting. |
| Direct eye contact | Honesty / Attention | Albanians maintain strong eye contact when speaking. Looking away can seem rude. |
Summary
Albanian body language can feel like a secret code at first, but you will get the hang of it quickly.
Just remember these two golden rules:
- A gentle side-to-side head wobble means “yes” (po).
- An upward chin tilt with a tongue click means “no” (jo).
If you are ever confused during a conversation, just smile and ask them to clarify with their words! Albanians are incredibly friendly and are always happy to help foreigners learn their culture.
