Basic words in Western Armenian

304 words on the topic

• Այո

  ayo

  yes

  The neutral yes that fits anywhere, polite company included. Among your own people the shorter հա (ha) carries most of the load
• Ոչ

  voch

  no

  One word for 'no' and for 'nor': ոչ (voch) ես (yes), ոչ (voch) դուն (tun) — neither me nor you. The final ch is crisp, as in 'match'
• Հա

  ha

  yeah

  The casual yes — think 'yeah' or 'uh-huh'. In texting and among friends it shows up more often than the full այո (ayo), but never offer it to an elder
• Լաւ

  lav

  good

  One word covers 'good' and 'well': լաւ (lav) եմ (em) — I'm well, լաւ (lav) մարդ (mart) — a good person. It also seals an agreement, the way 'fine, done' does in English
• Վատ

  vad

  bad

  The partner of լաւ (lav) and it behaves the same way: վատ (vad) եմ (em) — I feel bad, վատ (vad) եղանակ (yeghanag) — bad weather
• Շատ լաւ

  shad lav

  very good

  շատ (shad) is 'very' and stands right before the word it boosts, exactly as in English: very good, very tasty, very big
• Կէս

  ges

  half

  Also works like 'half-' in compounds: կէս ժամ (ges zham) — half an hour, կէս քիլօ (ges k'ilo) — half a kilo
• Պէտք չէ

  bedk' che

  I don't need it

  In writing պէտք չէ (bedk' che), in living speech almost always պէտք (bedk) չի (chi). Softened further with a thank-you: պէտք չէ (bedk' che), շնորհակալութիւն (shnorhagalut'yun)
• Մէկ հատ ալ

  meg had al

  one more

  հատ (had) means 'piece, unit' — the little counting word Armenian inserts almost everywhere: մէկ (meg) հատ (had) սուրճ (surj), one coffee. Here it carries 'another one'
• Բաւական է

  pavagan e

  that's enough

  What you say when the seller keeps piling it on and the pile is big enough. Among friends the blunter հերիք է (herik' e) does the same job
• Ընդամէնը

  əntamenə

  only

  Opens with Ը, the fleeting 'uh' vowel Armenian uses to break up consonant clusters — barely a sound. Ընդամէնը (əntamenə) հազար (hazar) դրամ (tram) — just a thousand drams
• Աւելի մեծ

  aveli medz

  bigger

  Comparisons are built with աւելի (aveli): մեծ (medz) is big, աւելի մեծ (aveli medz) is bigger — no ending to bend. For 'more' in the sense of quantity it's աւելի (aveli) շատ (shad)
• Աւելի փոքր

  aveli p'ok'r

  smaller

  The same recipe: աւելի (aveli) + փոքր (p'ok'r), small. The quantity twin is աւելի (aveli) քիչ (k'ich) — less
• Ծանր

  dzanr

  heavy

  Same root in ծանրոց (dzanrots), a parcel. The opening ծ is a buzzing dz
• Թեթեւ

  t'et'ev

  light (weight)

  Two breathy թ's in a row: every t exhales — say t'et'ev and feel both puffs. Covers weight and effort alike — a light suitcase, a light task
• Նոր

  nor

  new

  Also 'just now': նոր (nor) եկայ (yega) — I've just arrived. One word covers the two jobs English splits between 'new' and 'just'
• Հին

  hin

  old

  About things: an old city, an old house. An old person is ծեր — calling a person հին (hin) means 'long-standing, from way back'
• Կոտրուած

  godruadz

  broken

  From կոտրել (godrel), to break. The -ուած ending builds a state: 'broken' — and it stays broken until someone fixes it
• Ամէն ինչ կարգին է

  amen inch garkin e

  everything is in order

  կարգ is order. This leans closer to 'all normal, nothing happened' than to 'good'
• Ամէն ինչ լաւ է

  amen inch lav e

  everything is fine

  ամէն (amen) ինչ (inch) is 'everything'. The answer to ինչպէ՞ս ես (inchbes yes) for the days when it really is
• Մարդ

  mart

  person

  The plural breaks the rules: not մարդեր but մարդիկ (martig) — people. A plural worth memorizing on its own
• Տասնըմէկ

  dasnəmeg

  eleven

  Every teen number is built the same way: տասն (dasn) (ten) plus the unit. Eleven is literally 'ten-one' — no list to memorize
• Տասներկու

  dasnergu

  twelve

  տասն (dasn) + երկու (yergu). There is no special word for a dozen: տասներկու (dasnergu) հատ (had) and that is that
• Տասներեք

  dasnerek'

  thirteen

  տասն (dasn) + երեք (yerek'). The final ք is a k on an exhale, exactly as in երեք (yerek') alone
• Տասնըչորս

  dasnəchors

  fourteen

  տասն (dasn) + չորս (chors). Between the ն and the չ stands a fleeting ը — the word runs in three beats: das-nə-CHORS
• Տասնըհինգ

  dasnəhink

  fifteen

  տասն (dasn) + հինգ (hink). A short ը sits between the parts: dasnə-hink; the final գ is read k in the western norm
• Տասնըվեց

  dasnəvets

  sixteen

  տասն (dasn) + վեց (vets). The վեց (vets) ends on its sharp ts and keeps it in the compound unchanged
• Տասնըեօթը

  dasnəyeot'ə

  seventeen

  տասն (dasn) + եօթ (yeot'): the classical spelling writes օ, the Eastern reformed one writes յոթ — the same seventeen in different letters. Say dasnə-yot'ə
• Տասնըութը

  dasnəut'ə

  eighteen

  տասն (dasn) + ութ (ut'). The ու (u) is always one sound, 'oo' — a digraph, not two letters
• Տասնըինը

  dasnəinə

  nineteen

  The only teen that ends in -ը: nine by itself is ինը (inə), and that ending survives. The rest of the row runs bare
• Քսան

  k'san

  twenty

  Its own word, no relation to տասը (dasə). From here on the numbers fuse: քսանըմէկ — twenty-one, քսաներկու — twenty-two
• Երեսուն

  yeresun

  thirty

  Every ten from thirty to ninety ends in -սուն — an old shape of the word 'ten'. The head is just the number: երեք (yerek') → երեսուն (yeresun)
• Քառասուն

  k'arrasun

  forty

  Four refuses the regular pattern: not չորսուն but քառասուն (k'arrasun), from an old stem քառ-. The same stem in քառակուսի (k'arragusi), square
• Յիսուն

  hisun

  fifty

  From հինգ (hink), but spelled with յ, and the ն drops out: յի + սուն. By ear it starts like հազար (hazar), thousand — do not let them meet
• Վաթսուն

  vat'sun

  sixty

  From վեց (vets), but with a breathy թ inside: vat + sun. Six itself runs on ts, the sixty on t-h
• Եօթանասուն

  yeot'anasun

  seventy

  The longest of the tens: եօթ (yeot') + անա + սուն, four syllables. The linker -անա- appears nowhere else in the row
• Ութսուն

  ut'sun

  eighty

  ութ (ut') + սուն, with nothing inserted — the most transparent ten in the row
• Իննսուն

  innsun

  ninety

  ինն (inn) + սուն, with a double ն at the seam: in-sun with a held n. Nine alone is ինը (inə); inside the ten it hardens to ինն (inn)
• Հարիւր

  haryur

  hundred

  The word where the row of tens stops. Two hundred is two words, երկու հարիւր (yergu haryur) — no fused form to learn
• Հազար

  hazar

  thousand

  The number of every market price: in drams, prices live in thousands. Հինգ (hink) հազար (hazar) դրամ (tram) — five thousand drams
• Միլիոն

  milion

  million

  A loanword with the stress on the last syllable: mi-li-ON. A billion is միլիարդ, built the same way
• Զրո

  zro

  zero

  A loanword, short, and with no vowel up front: z-ROH. In a game score it doubles: զրո-զրո — nil-nil
• Առաջին

  arrachin

  first

  Ordinals behave like adjectives: unchanging, placed before the noun. The first three are irregular; after that everything runs on -երորդ: չորրորդ (chorrort), հինգերորդ (hinkerort)
• Երկրորդ

  yergrort

  second

  From երկու (yergu), with the ու (u) dropped: yerk + rord. The same word in երկրորդ (yergrort) յարկ (hark) — the second floor
• Երրորդ

  yerrort

  third

  From երեք (yerek'), with a trilled ռ at the seam. One letter apart from երկրորդ (yergrort), second — the most confused pair on the stairs
• Վերջին

  verchin

  last

  From վերջ (verch), an end. The partner of առաջին (arrachin), first — both happen to end in -ին, though they are built differently
• Քանի՞

  k'ani

  how many

  Asks about countables: քանի՞ (k'ani) հատ (had), քանի՞ (k'ani) մարդ (mart). For uncountable amounts and prices the question is որքա՞ն (vork'an) or ինչքա՞ն (inchk'an). The ՞ sits over the last vowel of the question word
• Զոյգ

  zuyk

  pair

  Two of a kind: զոյգ (zuyk) մը (mə) կօշիկ (goshig) — a pair of shoes. It works for two people too, including a married couple
• Հատ

  had

  piece (counter word)

  The counting word the market cannot do without: երեք (yerek') հատ (had) — three pieces. It slips between the number and the thing, and English usually throws it away in translation
• Տոկոս

  dogos

  percent

  About discounts and bank rates alike: տարեկան (daregan) տոկոս (dogos) — the annual rate. The sign % is read aloud as տոկոս (dogos)
• Ամէն

  amen

  every

  Stands before the noun and never changes: ամէն օր (amen or), ամէն (amen) մարդ (mart). Its partner բոլորը (polorə) means 'everyone' and replaces the noun — ամէն (amen) cannot
• Ո՞վ

  ov

  who

  a word-initial ո usually reads 'vo' — որ (vor), ոչ (voch), որդի (vorti) — but ո՞վ (ov) is the famous exception: plain 'ov', as at the start of 'oven'
• Ինչո՞ւ

  inchu

  why

  Built from ինչ (inch), what. The answer comes with որովհետեւ (vorovhedev) — because. The question mark ՞ lives inside the word, between the ո and the ւ
• Ինչի՞ համար

  inchi hamar

  what for

  There is no single word: Armenians ask ինչի՞ համար (inchi hamar) — literally 'for what', the possessive ինչի (inchi) plus համար (hamar), 'for'. Ինչո՞ւ (inchu) asks about the cause, ինչի՞ համար (inchi hamar) about the purpose — though in speech ինչո՞ւ (inchu) covers both
• Ինչպիսի՞

  inchbisi

  what kind

  three syllables; in Western Armenian the stress falls on the first: INCH-bee-see
• Որո՞ւ

  voru

  whose

  a word-initial ո reads 'vo': say 'vo-ROO', stress on the last syllable. The question mark ՞ sits inside the ու (u)
• Ոչ ոք

  voch vok'

  no one

  Two words: ոչ (voch), not, plus the ancient ոք (vok), which never appears alone. The verb stays negative too: ոչ ոք (voch vok') չկայ (chgay) — literally 'no one is not'. The double negative is not optional in Armenian
• Բան մը

  pan mə

  something

  Literally 'a thing some': բան (pan) is 'a thing', and the particle մը (mə) after it makes it indefinite. Others are built the same way: մարդ (mart) մը (mə) — someone, տեղ մը (degh mə) — somewhere
• Երկուքն ալ

  yerguk'n al

  both

  Literally 'and the two': երկուքը — 'the two of them', from երկու (yergu), two, plus the booster ալ (al). About things it works the same, but ալ (al) hops onto the noun: երկու (yergu) տունն (dunn) ալ (al) — both houses
• Չեմ գիտեր

  chem kider

  I don't know

  The negation stands as a separate word before the verb, and the verb changes its form: գիտեմ (kidem) — I know, չեմ գիտեր (chem kider) — I don't know. Չեմ հասկնար (chem hasgnar), I don't understand, works the same way
• Տեսնել

  desnel

  to see

  The same root as in ցտեսութիւն (tsdesut'yun), goodbye — literally 'until we see'. The past is irregular: not տեսեցի but տեսայ (desay) — I saw
• Լսել

  lsel

  to hear

  no written vowel between the լ and the ս, but a short ə slips in — the word runs in two beats: lə-SEL
• Քնանալ

  k'nanal

  to sleep

  the ք is a k on an exhale and a consonant follows at once: k'na-NAL, the first cluster in one go
• Տանիլ

  danil

  to carry

  The direction is built in: տանիլ (danil) carries from here to there, բերել carries from there to here. English 'carry' splits in two, and the choice depends on where the speaker stands. Hence տանելու համար (danelu hamar) — for taking out
• Դնել

  tnel

  to put

  Covers 'put' standing and 'put' lying — Armenian does not care whether the thing stands or lies. The same verb is in հաշիւին գումար (kumar) դնել (tnel) — to put money on the account
• Կոտրել

  godrel

  to break

  Կոտրուած է (godruadz e) — it's broken — is this same verb with -ուած: it broke by itself, no culprit named. Կոտրել (godrel) means someone broke it
• Կառուցել

  garrutsel

  to build

  the ռ is a full trill, longer than the plain ր: ga-roo-TSEL with a rattled rr
• Շատ

  shad

  much, many

  One word for 'much' and for 'very': before a noun — շատ (shad) մարդ (mart), many people; before an adjective — շատ լաւ (shad lav), very good. Counted things stay singular: շատ (shad) գիրք (kirk')
• Քիչ

  k'ich

  little, few

  the ք is a k on an exhale: k'-eech, rhyming with 'leech'
• Փափուկ

  p'ap'ug

  soft

  both փ's are p on a breath: p'a-P'OOG, exhale on every p
• Կարծր

  gardzr

  hard

  the word ends in two consonants with no vowel between them: GAR-dzr
• Թաց

  t'ats

  wet

  the թ is a t with a puff and the ց a sharp ts: t'-ats
• Չոր

  chor

  dry

  The partner of թաց (t'ats). Hence չորնալ, to dry, and չիր, a dried fruit. Do not confuse with the number չորս (chors), four — one letter apart
• Բարակ

  parag

  thin

  About things: thin fabric, thin ice. The opposite is հաստ, thick. About people it is not said — for slim there is նիհար (nihar)
• Խորը

  khorə

  deep

  In speech the dictionary form խոր (Khor) almost always carries the attached -ը, exactly like սառը (sarrə), cold. Hence խորութիւն (khorut'yun), depth. About water and about talk: խորը (khorə) զրոյց — a deep conversation
• Կլոր

  glor

  round

  About shape: a round table, a round face. Կլոր (glor) տարի (dari) — a round year, the full year. Like all Armenian adjectives it stands before the noun, unchanged
• Ո՞ւր

  ur

  where to

  just 'oor' — the ու (u) is one 'oo' sound with the question mark ՞ inside the word
• Ամէնուր

  amenur

  everywhere

  Assembled from ամէն (amen), every, and ուր (ur), where: 'in every place'. The same idea also goes by two words: ամէն (amen) տեղ (degh)
• Ոչ մէկ տեղ

  voch meg degh

  nowhere

  Never one word: ոչ (voch) մէկ (meg) — not a single, տեղ (degh) — place. The verb stays negative too. The phrase answers both 'where' and 'where to': ոչ մէկ տեղ (voch meg degh) չեմ (chem) երթար (yert'ar) — I am not going anywhere
• Ռիսկ

  rrisg

  risk

  the opening ռ is a full rolled rr, like the Spanish rr: RREESG
• Պահեստային պլան

  bahesdayin blan

  backup plan

  The same պահեստային (bahesdayin) as in պահեստային անիւ (bahesdayin anyu), a spare tire: the language does not split a spare part from a spare idea. In conversation people often say երկրորդ (yergrort) տարբերակ (darperag), a second option
• Անախորժութիւն

  anakhorzhut'yun

  trouble

  ախորժ is 'pleasant' — the root of ախորժակ (akhorzhag), appetite, in բարի ախորժակ (pari akhorzhag), enjoy your meal — and ան- is the 'not-' prefix: the word is assembled exactly like English 'un-pleasantness'. It usually comes plural: անախորժութիւններ ունեցանք (unetsank)
• Պատճառ

  badjarr

  cause

  It lives in three ready-made turns, and those are what to memorize: պատճառը (badjarrə) ի՞նչն է — what is the cause, առանց (arrants) պատճառի — without a reason, պատճառով (badjarrov) — because of, set AFTER the word: անձրեւի (antsrevi) պատճառով (badjarrov), because of the rain
• Արդիւնք

  artyunk'

  result

  The result of work, the score of a match, and the lab result alike: անալիզի արդիւնքները (artyunk'nerə), test results. The turn արդիւնքին (artyunk'in) մէջ (mech) means 'as a result' and opens the sentence
• Անոր համար

  anor hamar

  therefore

  Literally 'for that'. It stands at the start of the second half, after the comma, and the word order behind it is ordinary: Անձրեւ (antsrev) էր (er), անոր համար (anor hamar) թաքսի (t'ak'si) առինք (arrink). The bookish synonym ուստի lives in newspapers
• Որովհետեւ

  vorovhedev

  because

  It never opens the sentence: first the main clause, then the comma, then որովհետեւ (vorovhedev): Չեկայ, որովհետեւ հիւանդ էի (chega, vorovhedev hivant ei). If the reason must come first, the language reaches for քանի որ (k'ani vor): Քանի որ (k'ani vor) հիւանդ (hivant) էի (ei), չեկայ (chega)
• Այդ պատճառով

  ayt badjarrov

  because of that

  The shade differs from անոր համար (anor hamar): համար (hamar) is neutral, պատճառով (badjarrov) always carries annoyance — because of that, things went wrong. The position is the same: after the comma, before the verb
• Կախուած ըլլալ

  gakhuadz əllal

  to depend on

  կախել (gakhel) is 'to hang': to depend is literally 'to be hanging'. On what — in the 'from where' form with -էն, BEFORE the turn: եղանակէն է կախուած (gakhuadz). The answer to half the questions in life is կախուած (gakhuadz) է — 'it depends'
• Պատճառը բացատրել

  badjarrə patsadrel

  to explain the cause

  բացատրել (patsadrel) is 'to explain', literally 'to open up' — from բաց (pats), open. The person goes in the 'to whom' form: ինծի (indzi) բացատրէ (patsadre). The article -ը on պատճառ (badjarr) is required: the cause is always a specific one
• Նպատակ

  nbadag

  purpose

  Purpose as an intention, not a target — at the range you shoot at a թիրախ. Ready turns: նպատակ (nbadag) ունիմ (unim), I intend, նպատակով, with the aim of, այդ (ayt) նպատակով, for that purpose
• Իմաստ

  imasd

  meaning

  Two turns are the reason to learn it: իմաստ (imasd) չունի (chuni) — it is pointless, and այս (ays) իմաստով — in this sense. A sage is իմաստուն, from the same nest
• Եզրակացութիւն

  yezragatsut'yun

  conclusion

  The opening ե reads 'ye', five syllables: ye-zra-ga-tsu-T'YUN
• Հնարաւորութիւն

  hnaravorut'yun

  opportunity

  Six syllables, stress on the last: hə-na-ra-vo-ru-T'YUN
• Հնարաւոր է

  hnaravor e

  it is possible

  Two words that work as one opener: it stands first, and no comma follows — Հնարաւոր է (hnaravor e)՝ վաղը (vaghə) գայ (kay). The mark ՝ here plays the role of 'that'. As an answer, a bare հնարաւոր է (hnaravor e) does the job
• Անհնար է

  anhnar e

  it is impossible

  ան- plus հնար, a trick, a means: 'there is no means'. What is impossible follows in the infinitive: անհնար է (anhnar e) հասկնալ (hasgnal). The softer variant is դժուար (tzhvar) է, it is hard
• Անհրաժեշտութիւն

  anhrazheshdut'yun

  necessity

  Six syllables — the longest word of the theme: an-hə-ra-zhesh-du-T'YUN
• Անպայման

  anbayman

  without fail

  ան- plus պայման (bayman), a condition: 'no conditions about it'. It stands before the verb: անպայման (anbayman) պիտի (bidi) զանգեմ (zankem), I will call without fail. Watch the negation: անպայման (anbayman) չէ (che) means 'not necessarily', not 'definitely not'
• Ստիպուած պիտի ըլլամ

  sdibuadz bidi əllam

  I will have to

  ստիպել is 'to force', ստիպուած (sdibuadz) is 'forced': literally 'I will be forced'. The person sits in ըլլալ (əllal), so 'you will have to' is ստիպուած (sdibuadz) պիտի (bidi) ըլլաս. For the past: ստիպուած (sdibuadz) եղայ (yegha), I had to
• Թոյլատրուած

  t'uyladruadz

  allowed

  From թոյլ տալ (t'uyl dal), to allow, with the same -ու- that marks the permitted. On signs it comes with է: Լուսանկարելը թոյլատրուած (t'uyladruadz) է, photography is allowed. In conversation people usually say կարելի (gareli) է, it is OK
• Արգիլուած

  arkilvadz

  forbidden

  From արգիլել, to forbid. On a sign it comes with the linking verb: Ծխել (dzkhel) արգիլուած (arkilvadz) է — smoking is forbidden. The conversational 'not allowed' is կարելի չէ (gareli che)
• Ընտրութիւն

  əndrut'yun

  choice

  Singular — a choice; plural ընտրութիւններ (əndrut'yunner) — already elections. Turns: ընտրութիւն (əndrut'yun) չունիմ (chunim), I have no choice, ընտրութիւն (əndrut'yun) կատարել (gadarel), to make a choice
• Տարբերակ

  darperag

  option

  From տարբեր (darper), different: an option is literally 'a different-one'. It also covers an answer option in a test and a software version. Ready uses: երկրորդ (yergrort) տարբերակը (darperagə), plan B, լաւագոյն (lavakuyn) տարբերակը (darperagə), the best option
• Կասկած

  gasgadz

  doubt

  The turns matter more than the word: կասկած (gasgadz) չկայ (chgay), no doubt, կասկածի տակ (dag) է, in doubt, առանց (arrants) կասկածի, without a doubt. Hence կասկածեալ (gasgadzeal), the suspect
• Կասկածիլ

  gasgadzil

  to doubt

  Doubting a thing takes մէջ (mech): անոր (anor) մէջ (mech) կը (gə) կասկածիմ (gasgadzim). Suspecting a person takes the same verb with վրայ (vra): անոր (anor) վրայ (vra) կը (gə) կասկածին — they suspect him. One word, two governments
• Վստահ

  vsdah

  sure

  It demands the linker: վստահ (vsdah) եմ (em), I am sure, վստահ (vsdah) ես (yes), you are sure. Sure of what — with մէջ (mech): անոր (anor) մէջ (mech) վստահ (vsdah) եմ (em). The verb վստահիլ (vsdahil), to trust, grows from the same root.
• Դժուար թէ

  tzhuar t'e

  unlikely

  Literally 'difficult that'. It stands first, and the verb after it drops պիտի (bidi), taking the same form as after պէտք է (bedk' e): Դժուար թէ (tzhuar t'e) գայ (kay) — unlikely he will come, not պիտի (bidi) գայ (kay). That is the main trap of the turn
• Երեւի

  yerevi

  probably

  The most used hedge in the language. It stands anywhere — first, middle, last — and takes no commas: Երեւի (yerevi) պիտի (bidi) ուշանայ, Տունն (dunn) է երեւի (yerevi). It does not change the verb
• Հաստատ

  hasdad

  for sure

  The exact opposite of երեւի (yerevi), on the same seats: Հաստատ (hasdad) պիտի (bidi) գայ (kay), he will come for sure. Careful: 'exactly, precisely' is a different word, ճիշդ (jishd): ճիշդ (jishd) ժամը (zhamə) հինգին (hinkin), at five o'clock sharp
• Ինծի կը թուի

  indzi gə t'ui

  it seems to me

  The order is rigid: first to whom, then կը (gə) թուի (t'ui). After it Armenians put not a comma but the mark ՝, and it plays the role of 'that': Ինծի կը թուի (indzi gə t'ui)՝ սխալ (skhal) ես (yes). Without ինծի (indzi) nobody has said who is doing the seeming
• Իրականութեան մէջ

  iraganut'ean mech

  in fact

  Built on իրական (iragan), real: 'in reality'. It opens the sentence and almost always contradicts what was said before: Կ'ըսեն (g'əsen)՝ թանկ (t'ang) է. իրականութեան մէջ (iraganut'ean mech) աժան (azhan) է
• Ենթադրել

  yent'atrel

  to assume

  ենթա- is 'under-', դնել (tnel) is 'to put': to 'put under' — the very picture of the Latin behind English 'suppose'. The word is bookish; in talk the same thought is ինծի կը թուի (indzi gə t'ui). The noun is ենթադրութիւն (yent'atrut'yun)
• Վստահ չեմ

  vsdah chem

  I am not sure

  The negation sits not on վստահ (vsdah) but on the linker: չեմ (chem) instead of եմ (em). The other persons work the same — վստահ (vsdah) չէ (che), վստահ (vsdah) չենք (chenk). The polite refusal is built on this very phrase: Վստահ չեմ (vsdah chem), ստուգեմ (sdukem) ու (u) ըսեմ (əsem)
• Փորձ

  p'orts

  experience

  One word for three English ones: experience (աշխատանքային փորձ (ashkhadank'ayin p'orts)), an attempt (փորձ (p'orts) մըն (mən) ալ (al) ըրէ (əre)), and an experiment (քիմիական փորձ (p'orts)). The neighboring word tells them apart. The verb փորձել (p'ortsel) is 'to try, to try on'
• Դէպք

  tebk'

  case

  The neutral word: a case, an instance. It lives in turns: այդ (ayt) դէպքին (tebk'in) մէջ (mech), in that case, ամէն (amen) դէպքին (tebk'in) մէջ (mech), in any case, դէպքի վայր (vayr), the scene of the incident. The newspaper-flavored trouble is պատահար (badahar)
• Օրինակ

  orinag

  example

  Both an example in the notebook and a role model: լաւ (lav) օրինակ (orinag) ցոյց տալ (tsuyts dal), to set a good example. To give one: օրինակ (orinag) բերել, literally 'to bring an example'
• Օրինակի համար

  orinagi hamar

  for example

  It stands right before what it names, with a comma: Օրինակի համար (orinagi hamar), Գիւմրին (Kyumrin). In fast speech it shrinks to a bare օրինակ (orinag) — and then it sounds just like the noun 'example'; only the comma and the seat tell them apart
• Տարբերութիւն

  darperut'yun

  difference

  Turns: ի՞նչ (inch) տարբերութիւն (darperut'yun) — what difference does it make, տարբերութիւն (darperut'yun) չկայ (chgay), there is no difference, տարբերութիւնը այն (ayn) է, որ (vor)…, the difference is that… Between what and what — with միջեւ (michev): անոնց (anonts) միջեւ (michev)
• Համեմատութիւն

  hamemadut'yun

  comparison

  From համեմատել, to compare — the verb of գիները համեմատել (kinerə hamemadel). The ready form համեմատած (hamemadadz), compared, stands after what you compare with: անցեալ (antsyal) տարուան (daruan) հետ (hed) համեմատած (hamemadadz)
• Տարբերիլ

  darperil

  to differ

  From what — in the 'from' case: անկէ (ange) կը (gə) տարբերի (darperi). Do not confuse with տարբերել without -ի-: that one means 'to tell apart', and there a person does the telling, not the thing
• Նման

  nman

  similar

  Similar to whom — the 'to whom' form, no preposition: հօրը (horə) նման (nman) է, he is like his father. Second job: 'such' — նման (nman) բան (pan) չեմ (chem) ըսած (əsadz), I never said any such thing. One word, two senses; the form of the neighbor tells them apart
• Նմանութիւն

  nmanut'yun

  similarity

  The partner of տարբերութիւն (darperut'yun): նմանութիւններ եւ (yev) տարբերութիւններ, similarities and differences. Between whom — with միջեւ (michev). The word is written-flavored; in talk people say նման (nman) են (en), they are alike
• Փոփոխութիւն

  p'op'okhut'yun

  modification

  Two փ in a row, each with a strong puff: p'o-p'o-khu-T'YUN
• Առաջին հերթին

  arrachin hert'in

  first of all

  հերթ (hert') is 'queue': literally 'in the first queue'. It stands at the very start, comma after, ordinary order behind it: Առաջին հերթին (arrachin hert'in), գինը (kinə) թանկ (t'ang) է — and է, as always, drifts to the end. Its pair is երկրորդ հերթին (yergrort hert'in)
• Երկրորդ հերթին

  yergrort hert'in

  secondly

  The second step of the same list, the same seat at the start, comma after. The count goes on — երրորդ (yerrort) հերթին (hert'in), չորրորդ (chorrort) հերթին (hert'in) — but in living speech after the second point people switch to բացի այդ (patsi ayt), besides
• Նախ եւ առաջ

  nakh yev arrach

  above all

  Literally 'first and forward'. It opens the sentence, comma after. The difference from առաջին հերթին (arrachin hert'in) is weight: հերթին (hert'in) opens a list, while նախ եւ առաջ (nakh yev arrach) singles out the main thing and owes no list
• Բացի այդ

  patsi ayt

  besides

  բացի (patsi) is 'except, besides', and it demands the demonstrative այդ (ayt) after it. It opens the sentence, comma after. Careful: բացի (patsi) քեզմէ (k'ezme), except you, is already a preposition with the -է 'from' ending — and no comma
• Ի դէպ

  i teb

  by the way

  Written as two words, with ի standing apart. It opens the remark, comma after; mid-sentence Armenian does not put it, unlike English 'by the way'. The same turn changes the subject in conversation
• Ընդհանուր առմամբ

  ənthanur arrmamp

  on the whole

  ընդհանուր (ənthanur) is 'general', առնել (arrnel) is 'to take': 'taking it in general'. Sentence-initial, comma after; it sums up what was said. The filler 'in general' mid-speech is NOT this — there people simply leave it out
• Կարճ ըսած

  garj əsadz

  in short

  կարճ (garj) is 'short', ըսած (əsadz) is 'said': literally 'short-said', so the word order runs opposite to English — first 'short', then 'having said'. Start of the sentence, comma after
• Այլ կերպ ըսած

  ayl gerb əsadz

  in other words

  այլ (ayl) is 'other', կերպ (gerb) is 'manner': 'in another manner said'. Assembled like կարճ ըսած (garj əsadz) and standing in the same seat — first, with a comma. It re-says the previous phrase, so the same thought follows in a new wrapping
• Գլխաւորը

  klkhavorə

  the main thing

  Three consonants in a row at the start, no vowel between them; the stress falls before the final ը: klkha-VO-rə
• Ի վերջոյ

  i verchoy

  in the end

  Written as two words. It stands first but usually takes no comma — the turn has grown onto the phrase: Ի վերջոյ համաձայնեցաւ (i verchoy hamatsaynetsav). It means both 'eventually' and 'in the end, finally!' with a sigh — intonation decides
• Թէեւ

  t'eev

  although

  The opening թ is a t on an exhale, and եւ (yev) reads 'ev': t'-EEV
• Փոխարէնը

  p'okharenə

  in return

  From փոխարէն (p'okharen), instead, plus the article -ը. It stands at the start of the second part, after the comma, and brings compensation: there was a minus, in return there is a plus. Թանկ (t'ang) էր (er), փոխարէնը (p'okharenə) լաւն (lavn) է
• Ընդհակառակը

  ənthagarragə

  on the contrary

  Five syllables, the ռ a full trill, the stress before the final ը: ənt-ha-ga-RRA-gə
• Չնայած

  chnayadz

  despite

  Literally 'not looking'. With a noun it takes the 'to whom' form: չնայած (chnayadz) անձրեւին (antsrevin), despite the rain. With a full thought add որ (vor): չնայած (chnayadz) որ (vor) ուշ (ush) էր (er). It stands at the start of its part, comma between the parts
• Սակայն

  sagayn

  however

  The bookish sibling of the conversational բայց (payts). The seats differ: բայց (payts) stands only between the parts, while սակայն (sagayn) can open the sentence or wedge into the middle with commas — Ան (an), սակայն (sagayn), չեկաւ (chegav)
• Մէկ կողմէն

  meg goghmen

  on the one hand

  կողմ (goghm) is 'side', -էն the 'from' ending. It opens the first half of the pair and demands the second — միւս կողմէն (myus goghmen). Sentence-initial, comma after. A lone half feels to an Armenian ear like a broken phrase
• Միւս կողմէն

  myus goghmen

  on the other hand

  The second half of the pair. It opens a new sentence or a new part after the comma: Մէկ կողմէն (meg goghmen), թանկ (t'ang) է. միւս կողմէն (myus goghmen), որակեալ (vorageal) է. Միւս (myus) is 'the other of two' — 'some other entirely' would be ուրիշ (urish)
• Այնուամենայնիւ

  aynuamenayniv

  nevertheless

  Six syllables, stress on the last: ay-nu-a-me-nay-NIV
• Անոր փոխարէն

  anor p'okharen

  instead

  The same փոխարէն (p'okharen) as in փոխարէնը (p'okharenə), but with no article and a pronoun in front — and the sense shifts: not compensation but substitution. It stands at the start of the second part, after the comma. 'Instead of you' is քեզի (k'ezi) փոխարէն (p'okharen), the 'to whom' form in front
• Միեւնոյն է

  mievnoyn e

  it's all the same

  Literally 'it is one and the same', and the linker է is part of the turn — it cannot be dropped. Two uses: indifference (Ինծի (indzi) միեւնոյն է (mievnoyn e), it is all the same to me) and stubbornness at the start of a part (Միեւնոյն է (mievnoyn e), պիտի (bidi) երթամ (yert'am))
• Պատահաբար

  badahapar

  by chance

  From պատահիլ, to happen — the root of պատահար (badahar), incident. Before the verb: պատահաբար (badahapar) հանդիպեցանք. The polite 'you wouldn't happen to know?' builds differently: պատահաբար (badahapar) չէ (che)՞ք գիտեր (kider)
• Յատուկ

  hadug

  specially

  As an adverb, before the verb: յատուկ (hadug) քեզի (k'ezi) համար (hamar) բերեցի, I brought it specially for you. Unchanged, the same word says 'special': յատուկ (hadug) դէպք (tebk'), a special case. Only the seat — before a verb or before a noun — tells them apart. Classical spelling starts with յ, Eastern with հ
• Անյաջողութիւն

  anhachoghut'yun

  failure

  The not- prefix ան- on յաջողութիւն (hachoghut'yun), success. Half of the negative nouns are assembled this way: անյարմար (anharmar), անվճար (anvjar), անտարբեր (andarper)
• Քայլ առ քայլ

  k'ayl arr k'ayl

  step by step

  առ (arr) is an old preposition 'to, by' that survives in these chains: մէկ առ մէկ (meg arr meg), one by one, տառ (darr) առ (arr) տառ (darr), letter by letter. A step is քայլ (k'ayl), on an exhaling k
• Գործողութիւններու հերթականութիւն

  kordzoghut'yunneru hert'aganut'yun

  order of operations

  Eleven syllables across two words, stress on the last of each: kor-dzo-ghu-t'yun-ne-RU, her-t'a-ka-nu-T'YUN
• Մանրամասն

  manramasn

  in detail

  մանր (manr) fine, small, մաս (mas) part: 'in small parts'. One word works as adverb, adjective and noun: մանրամասները, the details
• Քու բառերով

  k'u parrerov

  in your own words

  English says 'own'; Armenian says it plainly as 'your': քու բառերով (k'u parrerov). About yourself: իմ (im) բառերով (parrerov); about him: իր (ir) բառերով (parrerov). There is no single 'own' for all persons
• Պարզ ըսած

  barz əsadz

  simply put

  պարզ (barz) clear, simple, ըսած (əsadz) said: 'simply said'. Cut from the same cloth: ճիշդը ըսած (əsadz), truth be told, կարճ ըսած (garj əsadz), in short
• Օրինակ բեր

  orinag per

  give an example

  An example is not 'given' but 'brought': բերել, to bring. Politely: օրինակ (orinag) բերէք (perek). The word օրինակ (orinag) also means 'for example'
• Ցոյց տուր, թէ ինչպէս կ'ըլլայ

  tsuyts dur, t'e inchbes g'əlla

  show me how it is done

  An indirect question takes the particle թէ (t'e): not ինչպէս (inchbes) alone but թէ (t'e) ինչպէս (inchbes). Կ'ըլլայ (g'əllay) here means 'is done': who does it goes unsaid
• Հասկնալի՞ է

  hasgnali e

  is that clear?

  From հասկնալ (hasgnal) with the tail -ելի/-ալի, 'able to be understood'. The ՞ sits inside the word, over the stressed vowel, not at the end of the sentence
• Հիմա հասկնալի է

  hima hasgnali e

  now it is clear

  The same word without the question mark — and it is already the answer. Հիմա (hima) means now. Shorter and livelier: just հասկցայ (hasgtsa), got it
• Շփոթեցայ

  shp'ot'etsa

  I got confused

  Both փ and թ on a breath: shp'o-t'e-TSAY
• Յիշել

  hishel

  to remember

  One word for 'remember' and 'recall': կը (gə) յիշեմ I remember, յիշեցի (hishetsi) I recalled — the form changes, the root does not. Intensify with a prefix: վերյիշել, to recollect
• Մոռնալ

  morrnal

  to forget

  A rolled ռ in the middle. Forgetful is մոռացկոտ; the forget-me-not is անմոռուկ, literally the 'unforgettable'. The past is մոռցայ (morrtsa)
• Մտադրութիւն

  mdatrut'yun

  intention

  Four syllables, the first with only a fleeting ə: mə-da-tru-T'YUN
• Մտափոխուիլ

  mdap'okhvil

  to change one's mind

  միտք → մտ- plus փոխուիլ, to change: literally 'to have one's thought changed'. Also said descriptively: մտքս փոխեցի (p'okhetsi), I changed my thought
• Ամէն ինչ ըստ ծրագրի

  amen inch əsd dzrakri

  everything is going to plan

  ըստ (əsd) means according to — one of the few true prepositions that stands before the word. The word after it takes the possessive: ըստ (əsd) ծրագրի (dzrakri)
• Եթէ ստացուի

  yet'e sdatsvi

  if it works out

  եթէ (yet'e) is if, and the verb after it takes the form for wishes and doubts, without կը (gə): ստացուի (sdatsvi), not կը (gə) ստացուի (sdatsvi). This is the seam everyone trips on
• Դեռ չեմ որոշած

  terr chem voroshadz

  I haven't decided yet

  դեռ (terr) means still, yet; with a negation it becomes the English 'not yet'. Որոշել is to decide — hence որոշում (voroshum), a decision
• Ամէն ինչ փոխուեցաւ

  amen inch p'okhvetsav

  everything changed

  փոխել (p'okhel) change something, փոխուիլ change by oneself, shift. Ամէն (amen) ինչ (inch) is everything, and the verb stays singular, as in English
• Դէպի լաւը

  tebi lavə

  for the better

  դէպի (tebi) means toward — a true preposition standing before the word. Լաւը is 'the good' with the definite tail -ը: the adjective became a noun
• Դէպի վատը

  tebi vadə

  for the worse

  The partner of դէպի լաւը (tebi lavə), assembled exactly the same way. No comparative is needed: լաւը and վատը (vadə) already stand opposed
• Պատկանիլ

  badganil

  to belong

  The owner stands in the 'to whom' form: ինծի (indzi) կը (gə) պատկանի (badgani) — it belongs to me. The word is bookish; in life people mostly say իմն է — 'it is mine'
• Ուրիշի

  urishi

  someone else's

  Literally 'of another': the possessive of ուրիշ (urish), other. The word օտար (odar) is also rendered 'foreign', but about things strange and unfamiliar, not things owned by another
• Ընդհանուր

  ənthanur

  common

  One word for both a shared yard and a total sum. The phrase ընդհանուր առմամբ (ənthanur arrmamp), 'in general'
• Հրել

  hrel

  to push

  On doors you will read հրե՛լ, push, and քաշել (k'ashel), pull — two verbs you meet every day
• Քաշել

  k'ashel

  to pull

  The word works wider than English 'pull': քաշել (k'ashel) also means to weigh, քանի՞ (k'ani) քիլօ (k'ilo) կը (gə) քաշես, and to drag on a cigarette
• Հարուածել

  harvadzel

  to hit

  Whom or what you hit stands in the 'to whom' form: գնդակին (kntagin) հարուածել (harvadzel) — to hit the ball. The blow itself is հարուած
• Մեթր

  met'r

  meter (unit of length)

  On price tags the abbreviation is մ. Do not confuse with մեթրո (met'ro), the metro — a different word with the stress on the last syllable
• Սանթիմեթր

  sant'imet'r

  centimeter

  The hundredth part of a meter, also spelled սանդիմեթր. Clothes are measured in սանթիմեթր (sant'imet'r), not in sizes
• Քիլօմեթր

  k'ilomet'r

  kilometer

  Road signs say կմ. Speed is քիլօմեթր (k'ilomet'r) ժամը (zhamə), literally 'a kilometer an hour'
• Լիթր

  lit'r

  liter

  Half a liter is կէս լիթր (ges lit'r), one and a half is մէկուկէս (meguges) լիթր (lit'r). The word does not change after a number: հինգ (hink) լիթր (lit'r), never լիթրեր
• Գրամ

  kram

  gram

  The kilogram is քիլոկրամ (k'ilogram), in speech just քիլօ (k'ilo). A hundred grams at the market is asked for as հարիւր (haryur) գրամ (kram)
• Քաշ

  k'ash

  weight

  the ք is a k on an exhale: the air leaves in a puff, as in English 'kite'
• Երկարութիւն

  yergarut'yun

  length

  երկար (yergar) is long and -ութիւն turns the quality into a noun. լայնութիւն (laynut'yun) and բարձրութիւն (partsrut'yun) are built the same way
• Լայնութիւն

  laynut'yun

  width

  լայն (layn) is wide. The same word works figuratively: լայն (layn) սիրտ (sird) — a big heart, a generous soul
• Բարձրութիւն

  partsrut'yun

  altitude

  բարձր (partsr) is high. But a person's height is measured by another word, հասակ (hasag): հասակս մէկ (meg) ութսուն (ut'sun) է
• Խորութիւն

  khorut'yun

  depth

  the խ is a harsh breath from the throat, as in German 'Bach' — the soft English h will not do here
• Մօտաւորապէս

  modavorabes

  approximately

  From մօտ (mod), near: the same word before a number means 'about'. Մօտաւորապէս (modavorabes) is the bookish, precise one — that is how reports are written
• Համարեա

  hamarea

  nearly

  The colloquial one; its bookish twin is գրեթէ (kret'e). Համարեա (hamarea) ոչինչ (vochinch) — nearly nothing, and the verb with it stays negative
• Ճիշդ

  jishd

  exactly

  the ճ reads j here; the ch sound belongs to its partner չ, said with an exhale, and in a word this short the difference is audible
• Միջին հաշուով

  michin hashvov

  on average

  միջին (michin) is middle and հաշիւ (hashiv) is an account: 'by the middle account'. The average number itself is միջին (michin) թիւ (t'iv)
• Երկու անգամ

  yergu ankam

  twice as much

  Literally 'two times', and the same phrase means 'twice'. 'Twice as big' is երկու անգամ (yergu ankam) աւելի (aveli), 'twice as small' is երկու անգամ (yergu ankam) քիչ (k'ich)
• Թուանշան

  t'vanshan

  digit

  թիւ (t'iv) is a number and նշան is a sign: a digit is the sign of a number. English 'figure' covers both; Armenian keeps them apart
• Քառորդ

  k'arrort

  quarter

  the ք is a breathy k and the ռ a full trill — two hard sounds in one short word
• Կշռել

  gshrrel

  to weigh

  the ռ is a full trill with the tip of the tongue, longer than the plain ր
• Աւելորդ

  avelort

  extra

  From աւելի (aveli), more. Աւելորդ (avelort) է means 'there is no need, it is pointless': աւելորդ (avelort) է բացատրել (patsadrel) — no use explaining
• Դատարկ

  tadarg

  empty

  To empty is դատարկել, and about a person the same word means hollow, worthless. 'On an empty stomach' is դատարկ (tadarg) ստամոքսին
• Խուսափիլ

  khusap'il

  to avoid

  What you avoid takes the -է case: քաղցրէն խուսափիլ (khusap'il). English hands the job to 'from'; Armenian marks it on the word itself
• Փաստ

  p'asd

  fact

  Hence փաստաթուղթ, a document — literally 'a paper of fact' — and փաստաբան (p'asdapan), a lawyer
• Հարց

  harts

  question

  The same word covers a question as a problem: այս (ays) հարցը (hartsə) լուծենք — let us settle this matter. To ask is հարց (harts) տալ (dal), literally 'to give a question'
• Կարեւոր

  garevor

  important

  Importance is կարեւորութիւն, and 'it does not matter' is կարեւոր (garevor) չէ (che). 'The most important' is ամենակարեւորը, with the ամենա- head
• Դրական

  tragan

  positive

  From դնել (tnel), to put. It serves the test result and the character alike: դրական (tragan) պատասխան (badaskhan), դրական (tragan) մարդ (mart). The plus sign is գումարած
• Բացասական

  patsasagan

  negative

  The verb is բացասել, to deny. The minus sign is հանած, and negation in grammar is ժխտում
• Համեմատած

  hamemadadz

  compared to

  The verb is համեմատել, to compare. The thing you compare with comes first with հետ (hed): անցեալ (antsyal) տարուան (daruan) հետ (hed) համեմատած (hamemadadz)
• Նոյնպիսի

  nuynbisi

  the same kind

  նոյն (nuyn) is the same plus -պիսի, '-like'. Beside it live այսպիսի (aysbisi), this kind, and այնպիսի, that kind
• Առաւելութիւն

  arravelut'yun

  advantage

  From առաւել, more. In sport the same word means a lead: մէկ (meg) գնդակի առաւելութիւն (arravelut'yun) — a one-ball lead
• Թերութիւն

  t'erut'yun

  drawback

  թերի is incomplete, unfinished. The drawback as a shortage is another word, պակաս (bagas)
• Հետեւանքներ

  hedevank'ner

  consequences

  From հետեւիլ (hedevil), to follow: a consequence is what follows behind. One piece is հետեւանք (hedevank'), and 'therefore' is հետեւաբար
• Հաշուի առնել

  hashvi arrnel

  to take into account

  հաշիւ (hashiv) is an account: literally 'to take into the account'. հաշուի (hashui) առնելով — taking into account, a ready-made opener for a sentence
• Ամենայն հաւանականութեամբ

  amenayn havanaganut'eamp

  most likely

  ամենայն (amenayn) is 'every, all' in its bookish form, and the -ամբ ending is that same 'by means of'. Long, but that is what is written; in speech people say just երեւի (yerevi)
• Անկասկած

  angasgadz

  without a doubt

  կասկած (gasgadz) is a doubt plus ան-, 'without'. The colloquial հաստատ (hasdad), for sure, does the same job
• Հաւանականութիւն

  havanaganut'yun

  probability

  հաւանական is probable and հաւանաբար is probably. One family, three words
• Ենթադրութիւն

  yent'atrut'yun

  assumption

  The verb is ենթադրել (yent'atrel), literally 'to put under' — ենթ- is 'under'. The same ենթ- in ենթակայ (yent'aga), the subordinate
• Կարծես թէ

  gardzes t'e

  it seems that

  կարծել is to suppose, and թէ (t'e) adds 'as if'. The bare կարծես (gardzes) is the simile 'as if'
• Պիտի որ

  bidi vor

  must be

  պիտի (bidi) usually builds the future; but պիտի որ (bidi vor) with a form in -ած ըլլայ (əllay) is a guess, not a promise
• Չի կրնար ըլլալ

  chi grnar əllal

  it cannot be

  The negation չ- sits on կրնար (grnar), not on ըլլալ (əllal). As an exclamation people also say չի (chi) կրնար (grnar) պատահել — it cannot have happened
• Գոնէ

  kone

  at least

  One short word where English needs two or three. Գոնէ (kone) մէկ (meg) անգամ (ankam) — at least once; in a request it softens: գոնէ (kone) զանգէ (zanke) — at least give me a call
• Ամէն պարագայի

  amen baragayi

  in any case

  պարագայ is a case, a circumstance. This is the wrap-up: 'whatever happened', and it opens the sentence
• Ամէն պարագայի համար

  amen baragayi hamar

  just in case

  Differs from the neighbor by one word, and the meaning changes: ամէն պարագայի (amen baragayi) is the wrap-up, ամէն պարագայի համար (amen baragayi hamar) is the precaution — literally 'for every case'
• Եթէ միայն

  yet'e miayn

  if only

  Armenian has no separate 'if only': the unreality is carried by the verb form, եթէ (yet'e) իմանայի (imanayi). Եթէ միայն (yet'e miayn) adds the longing: 'if only I had known sooner'
• Պայմանով որ

  baymanov vor

  on condition that

  պայման (bayman) is a condition and -ով is 'by': literally 'by the condition that'. The verb after it goes without կը (gə)
• Նոյնիսկ եթէ

  nuynisg yet'e

  even if

  նոյնիսկ (nuynisg) is 'even', built from նոյն (nuyn), the same. Here the condition is reinforced: not just 'if' but 'even if'
• Այդ պարագային

  ayt baragayin

  in that case

  այդ (ayt) points to the thing just mentioned — neither այս (ays), this here, nor այն (ayn), that over there: the phrase answers what was just said
• Այլապէս

  aylabes

  otherwise

  այլ (ayl) is other. In speech people swap it for թէ (t'e) ոչ (voch): շտապէ (shdabe), թէ (t'e) ոչ (voch) պիտի (bidi) ուշանանք (ushanank) — hurry, or we will be late
• Այն ժամանակ

  ayn zhamanag

  at that time

  This 'then' is about time: 'in those days'. The 'then' after 'if' is another word, ապա: եթէ (yet'e) կ'ուզես (g'uzes), ապա ըրէ (əre)
• Որպէսզի

  vorbeszi

  in order to

  In speech it shrinks to a plain որ (vor). The verb after it goes without կը (gə): որպէսզի (vorbeszi) հասցնեմ (hastsnem), not կը (gə) հասցնեմ (hastsnem)
• Կարծես

  gardzes

  as if

  the ծ here is a voiced dz, and the stress falls on the last syllable
• Փոխանակ

  p'okhanag

  instead of

  փոխել (p'okhel) is to change. The verb after it takes the -ու form: փոխանակ (p'okhanag) վիճելու (vijelu). 'Instead of' with a noun is փոխարէն (p'okharen)
• Հիմնականօրէն

  himnaganoren

  mainly

  հիմք (himk') is a foundation and հիմնական is basic. The phrase answers 'on the whole how?' and usually opens the sentence
• Որպէս կանոն

  vorbes ganon

  as a rule

  որպէս (vorbes) is 'in the capacity of', as: որպէս (vorbes) մասնագէտ (masnaked) — as a specialist. Here the phrase introduces the usual order of things
• Համարեա բոլորը

  hamarea polorə

  almost everyone

  բոլորը (polorə) is 'all' about people you can count; ամբողջ (ampoghch) is 'the whole' about one thing. Here it must be բոլորը (polorə)
• Բացառութիւն

  patsarrut'yun

  exception

  The verb is բացառել, to exclude, from բացի (patsi), except. 'With the exception of' is բացառութեամբ, with that 'by means of' ending
• Եւ այլն

  yev ayln

  and so on

  այլ (ayl) is other and այլն (ayln) is 'and others'. Classical spelling writes the conjunction եւ (yev) with two letters everywhere, at the start of a sentence too: Եւ (yev)
• Ի տարբերութիւն

  i darperut'yun

  unlike

  տարբեր (darper) is different. The prefix ի is a leftover of the old language that survives only in such phrases, and the word after it stands in the possessive
• Բացի

  patsi

  except for

  It demands the 'from' case: բացի (patsi) ինծմէ (indzme), բացի (patsi) ատկէ (adge). The word stands before the noun, but it is the noun's case that does the work
• Լրիւ չէ

  lriv che

  not quite

  լրիւ (lryu) is full, complete. A soft way not to agree: այդպէս (aytbes) չէ (che), 'it is not so', sounds harsher
• Քիչ թէ շատ

  k'ich t'e shad

  more or less

  Literally 'little or much' — Armenian lines the words up in the reverse order. Here թէ (t'e) means 'or'
• Դժուարութեամբ

  tzhvarut'eamp

  with difficulty

  դժուար (tzhvar) is hard plus the -ութեամբ 'by means of' ending: one word where English needs two. հազիւ (haziv), barely, is even stronger
• Արժէ փորձել

  arzhe p'ortsel

  it is worth trying

  արժէ (arzhe) is 'it costs, it is worth' — the same root as 'how much does it cost'. The negative չարժէ (charzhe) is the polite answer to 'thank you': do not mention it
• Պէտք էր

  bedk' er

  should have

  պէտք է (bedk' e) in the past. The verb after it goes without կը (gə): պէտք էր (bedk' er) ըսէիր (əseir). This is a reproach, not a report
• Ամենալաւը

  amenalavə

  best of all

  ամենա- is 'the most', and its bookish twin is լաւագոյնը. Here it is not about the best thing but advice: 'it would be best to…'
• Ամենավատը

  amenavadə

  worst of all

  The partner of ամենալաւը (amenalavə). The bookish variant is վատագոյնը, but in speech it sounds heavy
• Հնարաւորինս արագ

  hnaravorins arak

  as soon as possible

  հնարաւոր (hnaravor) is possible and -ինս means 'as ... as possible'. The same recipe gives հնարաւորինս (hnaravorins) շուտ (shud) — as early as possible
• Իզուր

  izur

  to no avail

  իզուր (izur) տեղը (deghə) — completely to no avail, the reinforced version. Do not confuse with անվճար (anvjar), free of charge: this is about wasted effort, not about price
• Յաղթահարել

  haght'aharel

  to cope

  the ղ and the թ stand together: a voiced throat scrape immediately followed by a t on an exhale
• Փորձ

  p'orts

  attempt

  The same word means 'experience'. What is meant shows in the counting: առաջին (arrachin) փորձ (p'orts) is a first attempt, մեծ (medz) փորձ (p'orts) is great experience
• Այսինքն

  aysink'n

  that is

  it ends in -նքն: two n's around a breathy k, with no vowel between them
• Պարզուեցաւ

  barzvetsav

  it turned out

  պարզ (barz) is clear, and պարզուիլ (barzvil) is to become clear. What follows is որ (vor): պարզուեցաւ (barzvetsav), որ (vor)…
• Իբրեւ արդիւնք

  iprev artyunk'

  as a result

  արդիւնք (artyunk') is a result and իբրեւ (iprev) is 'as, in the capacity of': 'as a result'. The same իբրեւ (iprev) in իբրեւ (iprev) բժիշկ (pzhishg) — as a doctor
• Կը յանգեցնէ

  gə hanketsne

  leads to

  յանգիլ is to arrive at something, and the -ցն- suffix turns it into 'to lead'. What it leads to takes the 'to whom' form: սխալներու (skhalneru)
• Շնորհիւ

  shnorhiv

  thanks to

  շնորհ is a gift, a grace — the root of շնորհակալութիւն (shnorhagalut'yun), thank you. It stands AFTER the word, and the word is in the possessive: ձեր (tser) օգնութեան (oknut'ean) շնորհիւ (shnorhiv)
• Առաջին անգամէն

  arrachin ankamen

  on the first try

  The -էն case: 'from the first time'. Without the ending առաջին անգամ (arrachin ankam) simply means 'for the first time'
• Երկու հարիւր

  yergu haryur

  two hundred

  The hundred does not fuse with the number: written and heard as two words — երկու (yergu) + հարիւր (haryur). The stress lands on the last syllable of each: yer-GU har-YOOR
• Երեք հարիւր

  yerek' haryur

  three hundred

  Երեք (yerek') does not change here. It stays whole in the name of Tuesday too — երեքշաբթի (yerek'shapt'i)
• Չորս հարիւր

  chors haryur

  four hundred

  չորս (chors) keeps its full shape. The ordinal 'fourth' drops out of the usual -երորդ row, though: only չոր- survives, with a shortened tail — չորրորդ (chorrort)
• Հինգ հարիւր

  hink haryur

  five hundred

  The most used coin in Armenia is the five-hundred-dram piece, and in conversation it goes by the pet name հինգ (hink) հարիւրանոց
• Վեց հարիւր

  vets haryur

  six hundred

  վեց (vets) ends in a sharp ts and հարիւր (haryur) begins with an h — at the seam you hear a short puff of air; the words refuse to melt together
• Եօթը հարիւր

  yeot'ə haryur

  seven hundred

  Եօթը (yeot'ə) is spelled with եօ, read 'yo', and the breathy թ. In the hundred the final ը stays: yot'ə har-YOOR
• Ութ հարիւր

  ut' haryur

  eight hundred

  ութ (ut') is a tiny word of two sounds, easy to swallow in a stream of speech. Counting aloud, stretch the ութ (ut') a beat longer
• Ինը հարիւր

  inə haryur

  nine hundred

  Before հարիւր (haryur) the nine stands in its full form ինը (inə), not the clipped ին. The same holds in ինը (inə) հազար (hazar) — nine thousand
• Չորրորդ

  chorrort

  fourth

  Ordinals take the ending -երորդ, but four drops out of the row: from չորս (chors) only չոր- survives, and -րորդ glues onto it
• Հինգերորդ

  hinkerort

  fifth

  From here on the rule runs smooth: the whole numeral plus -երորդ. հինգ (hink) + երորդ — the word assembles itself
• Վեցերորդ

  vetserort

  sixth

  վեց (vets) + երորդ. The stress stays on the first syllable: VE-tse-rort
• Եօթներորդ

  yeot'nerort

  seventh

  Եօթը (yeot'ə) drops its final ը and takes ն: եօթն + երորդ. The breath on the թ stays inside the word too
• Ութերորդ

  ut'erort

  eighth

  ութ (ut') + երորդ. Do not mix up with ութսուն (ut'sun), eighty — that one wears a different tail
• Իններորդ

  innerort

  ninth

  ինը (inə) loses its final ը and doubles the ն: ինն (inn) + երորդ. To the ear it is one long held n
• Տասներորդ

  dasnerort

  tenth

  տասը (dasə) puts on the տասն- shape before the ending, exactly as it does in տասնըմէկ (dasnəmeg), eleven
• Հարիւրերորդ

  haryurerort

  hundredth

  հարիւր (haryur) + երորդ, by the general rule. A long word, but assembled from just two pieces
• Կամ

  gam

  or

  Doubled, it makes 'either... or': կամ (gam) թէյ (t'ey), կամ (gam) սուրճ (surj) — either tea, or coffee
• Ալ

  al

  also

  Stands after the word it refers to: ես (yes) ալ (al) — me too. The equal-meaning նոյնպէս (nuynbes) is more bookish
• Միայն

  miayn

  merely

  Hides մի (mi), one, inside: 'just the one'. The everyday ընդամէնը (əntamenə) means 'no more than'
• Արդէն

  arten

  already

  In the negative the sense shifts: արդէն (arten) չէ (che) is 'it is no longer there', not 'not yet'. Not yet is դեռ (terr) չէ (che)
• Դեռ

  terr

  still

  About continuation: դեռ (terr) կայ (gay) — still there. For 'one more' Armenian reaches for եւս (yevs) մէկ (meg) — the two senses English packs into 'still' split apart here
• Չափազանց

  chap'azants

  excessively

  From չափ (chap), a measure: literally 'beyond measure'. Plain շատ (shad) is just 'very' — this word is the alarm bell
• Միասին

  miasin

  together

  From մի (mi), one: 'into one'. The bookish twin համատեղ exists but rarely leaves the page
• Կարելի չէ

  gareli che

  not allowed

  From կարելի (gareli), 'possible', with the negation չէ (che). Signs say արգիլուած (arkilvadz) է — 'it is forbidden'
• Պէտք է

  bedk' e

  one must

  No person inside, no change of form. The person takes the 'to whom' form: ինծի (indzi) պէտք է (bedk' e) — I need to, literally 'to me it is necessary'
• Կեանք

  gyank'

  life

  Կեանքս — 'my life' — is a common term of endearment, like 'my dear'. In the street you hear it more often than the literal sense
• Ուզել

  uzel

  to want

  In the present: կ'ուզեմ (g'uzem). To want to do something — the infinitive follows bare: կ'ուզեմ (g'uzem) երթալ (yert'al)
• Կրնալ

  grnal

  to be able

  In the present it goes without կը (gə): կրնամ (grnam), կրնաս. The negative is չեմ (chem) կրնար (grnar)
• Բառ

  parr

  word

  Բառ (parr) is the dictionary word; խօսք is the word as speech and as a promise. Armenian keeps them apart
• Գործ

  kordz

  matter

  Both a matter to deal with and work. Ի՞նչ (inch) գործ (kordz) ունիս (unis) — what business do you have?
• Ձեւ

  tsev

  way (method)

  The same word means 'form, shape'. Այս (ays) ձեւով — in this way
• Հեշտ

  heshd

  easy

  Adverb and adjective alike. Հեշտութեամբ is the bookish variant with the instrumental tail
• Դժուար

  tzhvar

  with effort

  Adverb and adjective, like հեշտ (heshd). Դժուարութեամբ (tzhvarut'eamp) — with difficulty
• Որ

  vor

  so that

  The bookish full form is որպեսզի; speech almost always shortens it to որ (vor). The verb after it takes the form for wishes and doubts, and the comma before it is not optional
• Եթէ

  yet'e

  if

  Եթէ ստացուի (yet'e sdatsvi) — if it works out; նոյնիսկ եթէ (nuynisg yet'e) — even if. The opening ե sounds 'ye'. The condition comes first, the main clause after the comma
• Քանի դեռ

  k'ani terr

  whilst

  Two words: քանի (k'ani), how much, plus դեռ (terr), still — for as long as still. Do not confuse with the farewell 'bye', which is another word entirely
• Քանի որ

  k'ani vor

  since

  The same քանի (k'ani) but with որ (vor): a cause both sides already accept. The plain 'because' is որովհետեւ (vorovhedev)
• Միայն թէ

  miayn t'e

  as long as

  Միայն (miayn) is only, թէ (t'e) 'that, whether'; together they wish at any price, and the verb takes the wish form: չգայ (chka), not չի (chi) գար (kar)
• Այնպէս որ

  aynbes vor

  and so

  Այնպէս (aynbes), in that way, plus որ (vor). It introduces the conclusion, not the cause — the cause gets քանի որ (k'ani vor)
• Միջեւ

  michev

  between

  It stands after the things it separates, and both nouns take the possessive: տան (dan) եւ (yev) դպրոցի (tbrotsi) միջեւ (michev). The root միջ- is the middle — the same as in the corridor, միջանցք (michantsk')
• Մօտ

  mod

  by

  As a word of its own it means near. As a helper it stands after its noun in the possessive: տան (dan) մօտ (mod) — by the house, at the house's near
• Փոխարէն

  p'okharen

  in place of

  Ատոր (ador) փոխարէն (p'okharen) — instead of that. It follows its noun in the possessive: իմ (im) փոխարէն (p'okharen). The root is փոխել (p'okhel), to change
• Դէմ

  tem

  against

  Դէմ ըլլալ (tem əllal) is to be against. As a helper it follows its noun in the 'to whom' form: պատերազմին դէմ (tem). The face is դէմք (temk'), with a ք
• Առանց

  arrants

  without

  The only helper word that stands before its noun — a true preposition. The noun still takes the possessive: առանց շաքարի (arrants shak'ari), without sugar, առանց մսի (arrants msi), without meat
• Համար

  hamar

  for

  It follows its noun in the possessive: քեզի (k'ezi) համար (hamar), երեխաներուն (yerekhanerun) համար (hamar); ինչի (inchi) համար (hamar) — what for. The same word counts house numbers; position tells them apart
• Մասին

  masin

  about

  It follows its noun in the possessive: ֆիլմի (filmi) մասին (masin) — about the film. Inside the word is մաս (mas), a part: talk about a part of something
• Ետք

  yedk'

  afterwards

  With the article, ետքը, it means 'afterwards'; after a noun with the 'from' ending it means after: դասէն ետք (yedk'), after the lesson
• Ընթացքին

  ənt'atsk'in

  during

  Այդ ընթացքին (ayt ənt'atsk'in) — meanwhile. After a noun in the possessive it means during: դասի (tasi) ընթացքին (ənt'atsk'in). The opening ը is barely a sound
• Պատճառով

  badjarrov

  because of

  Պատճառ (badjarr) is the cause, and ատոր (ador) պատճառով (badjarrov) — because of that: the cause in the instrumental, the noun before it in the possessive
• Շուրջ

  shurch

  around

  It follows its noun in the possessive: տան (dan) շուրջ (shurch), around the house. The same root built the frame, շրջանակ, and the district, շրջան; in speech it usually carries the article: շուրջը
• Վրայով

  vrayov

  across

  Վրայ (vra), on, in the instrumental: over the top. After a possessive: կամրջի (gamrchi) վրայով (vrayov). Միջով (michov) is through; 'in an hour' takes the 'from' ending: մէկ (meg) ժամէն (zhamen)
• Ներսէն

  nersen

  from inside

  Ներս (ners) into, ներսը (nersə) inside, ներսէն (nersen) from inside: three forms of one root, told apart only by the tail
• Մօտերը

  moderə

  nearby

  Մօտ (mod), near, plus -եր and the article -ը: 'in the near places'. The nearest is մօտակայ (modaga)
• Ուրկէ

  urge

  where from

  Ո՞ւր (ur), where and where to, plus the tail -կէ: from where. The question mark goes over the last syllable: ուրկէ (urge)՞
• Շատ

  shad

  very

  The same word counts and intensifies: շատ (shad) is much, many — and շատ լաւ (shad lav) is very good. Շատ (shad) շնորհակալ (shnorhagal) եմ (em) — thank you very much
• Օգնութիւն

  oknut'yun

  help

  The noun from օգնել (oknel), to help. Օգնութեան (oknut'ean) կանչել (ganchel) — to call for help
• Եւ

  yev

  and

  Inside a phrase it is one ligature: հաց (hats) եւ (yev) պանիր (banir). There is no capital ligature, so a sentence starts with Եւ (yev). In speech the casual ու (u) does the same job
• Բայց

  payts

  but

  It opens the second part rather than standing between words. Սակայն (sagayn) says the same thing bookishly and is almost never heard

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How it sounds in a sentence

A word list is a blank. Conversation is made of sentences, and these are the ones the words fit into most often.

• Այո, հայերէն կը խօսիմ

  ayo, hayeren gə khosim

  Yes, I speak Armenian
• Ոչ, շնորհակալութիւն, բաւական է

  voch, shnorhagalut'yun, pavagan e

  No, thank you, that's enough
• Հա, գիտեմ, արդէն ըսիր

  ha, kidem, arten əsir

  Yeah, I know, you already said it
• Շնորհակալութիւն, լաւ եմ

  shnorhagalut'yun, lav em

  Thank you, I'm well
• Երէկ վատ կը զգայի

  yereg vad gə zkayi

  Yesterday I felt bad
• Շատ լաւ, պայմանաւորուեցանք

  shad lav, baymanavoruetsank'

  Very good, it's a deal

What is worth knowing about these words

Այո (ayo) — yes. The neutral yes that fits anywhere, polite company included. Among your own people the shorter հա (ha) carries most of the load.

Ոչ (voch) — no. One word for 'no' and for 'nor': ոչ (voch) ես (yes), ոչ (voch) դուն (tun) — neither me nor you. The final ch is crisp, as in 'match'.

Հա (ha) — yeah. The casual yes — think 'yeah' or 'uh-huh'. In texting and among friends it shows up more often than the full այո (ayo), but never offer it to an elder.

Լաւ (lav) — good. One word covers 'good' and 'well': լաւ (lav) եմ (em) — I'm well, լաւ (lav) մարդ (mart) — a good person. It also seals an agreement, the way 'fine, done' does in English.

Test yourself

Recalling a spelling from meaning is harder than recognizing a familiar word — and therefore more useful.

How to learn the set instead of just reading it

Yes, no, good, bad, very. The small change of a language — and no sentence assembles without it.

A list is read in a minute and forgotten in a day. What works: hide the translation, try to recall, get it wrong — and come back to the same words tomorrow.

• Recalling beats re-reading. Covering the translation and trying to remember it does more than reading it ten more times.checked many times
  Adesope, Trevisan & Sundararajan, 2017, Review of Educational Research 87(3) · 188 experiments, 272 comparisons. g = 0.61; against plain re-reading 0.51, against passive review 0.93.
• Study spread over days wins not only in experiments but in ordinary classrooms, with real students.checked many times
  Mawson & Kang, 2025, Behavioral Sciences 15(6):771 · 22 studies, d = 0.54 (confidence interval 0.31–0.77). The authors warn that individual studies disagree widely.

Next

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