Introduction to Infinitives in Armenian Grammar

The Armenian language is an Indo-European language spoken primarily in Armenia and by the Armenian diaspora across the world. In this article, we will delve deeper into the grammar of the Armenian language, focusing specifically on infinitives. Through this comprehensive guide, we aim to provide a clear understanding of how infinitives work in the Armenian language.

Defining Infinitives in the Armenian Language

Infinitives in the Armenian language are the basic, uninflected forms of verbs. They represent the action or state without any additional information about tense, mood, or subject. In the Armenian language, infinitives typically end with the suffix “-լ” (“-l”). For example, the infinitive of the verb “to read” in Armenian is “կարդալ” (kardal).

Different Functions of Infinitives in Armenian Grammar

In Armenian grammar, infinitives have various functions, such as:

1. Expressing purpose: Infinitives can be used to express the purpose of an action. For instance, “Սուրճ խմել” (surj khmel) means “to drink coffee.”

2. Forming verb conjugations: Infinitives can be combined with auxiliary verbs to create different verb conjugations, such as the future tense and the subjunctive mood.

Formation of Infinitive Constructions in Armenian

There are specific constructions in Armenian that involve the use of infinitives. For instance, the verb “ուզել” (uzel, “to want”) is often followed by an infinitive to express desire.

Examples of Infinitive Constructions

1. Ես ուզում եմ այս գիրքը կարդալ (Yes uzum em ays girk`y kardal) – “I want to read this book.”
2. Նակալիկը պատրաստ է գործել (Nakalik`y patrast e gortsel) – “The student is ready to work.”
3. Մենք հաճելիկ ենք նայել (Menk` hajelik enk` nayel) – “It is nice to look at us.”

Negative Infinitives in Armenian

In the Armenian language, it is also possible to form negative infinitives by adding the prefix “մի-” (mi-) to the infinitive form of the verb. This prefix negates the action or state expressed by the verb.

Examples of Negative Infinitives in Armenian

1. մի՛կարդար (mi-kardar) – “do not read”
2. միգործի (mi-gortsi) – “not to work”

Conclusion: Mastery of Infinitives in Armenian Grammar

A well-rounded understanding of infinitives in Armenian grammar contributes to mastering this complex and fascinating language. By grasping the various functions and formations of infinitives in Armenian, learners can effectively express ideas and communicate with native speakers. As the Armenian language continues to evolve and expand its influence, a strong foundation in its grammar remains essential for navigating the intricacies of both spoken and written communication.