Armenian, a language rich in history and culture, can be an exciting new venture for language enthusiasts. As with any language, starting with the basics is essential. This article aims to introduce you to some fundamental Armenian words and phrases that are essential for A1 level learners. Whether you’re planning a trip to Armenia, interested in the language for cultural reasons, or simply expanding your linguistic repertoire, these words will form the foundation of your Armenian vocabulary.

Essential Greetings and Basic Phrases

Learning how to greet people and engage in simple conversations is a great first step in mastering any language. Here are some important Armenian greetings and basic phrases:

– **Barev** (բարև) – Hello
– **Barev dzes** (բարև ձեզ) – Hello (formal)
– **Voghjuyn** (ողջույն) – Hi
– **Hajoghutyun** (հաջողություն) – Goodbye
– **Yes** (ես) – I
– **Du** (դու) – You (informal)
– **Duk** (դուք) – You (formal)
– **Vonts es?** (Ինչպես ես?) – How are you? (informal)
– **Vonts ek?** (Ինչպես եք?) – How are you? (formal)
– **Lav em** (լավ եմ) – I am fine
– **Shnorhakalutyun** (շնորհակալություն) – Thank you
– **Khorhurd** (խորհուրդ) – Please
– **Bari luis** (բարի լույս) – Good morning
– **Bari yereko** (բարի երեկո) – Good evening
– **Bari gisher** (բարի գիշեր) – Good night

Numbers

Numbers are another crucial part of any beginner’s vocabulary. Here’s a list of Armenian numbers from one to ten:

– **Meh** (մեկ) – One
– **Yergu** (երկու) – Two
– **Yerek** (երեք) – Three
– **Chors** (չորս) – Four
– **Hing** (հինգ) – Five
– **Vets** (վեց) – Six
– **Yot** (յոթ) – Seven
– **Ut** (ութ) – Eight
– **In** (ինը) – Nine
– **Das** (տաս) – Ten

Days of the Week

Knowing the days of the week is helpful for planning and understanding daily conversations. Here are the Armenian names for the days of the week:

– **Shapat** (շաբաթ) – Saturday
– **Kiraki** (կիրակի) – Sunday
– **Erkushapti** (երկուշաբթի) – Monday
– **Yerekshapti** (երեքշաբթի) – Tuesday
– **Choreqshapti** (չորեքշաբթի) – Wednesday
– **Hingshapti** (հինգշաբթի) – Thursday
– **Urbat** (ուրբաթ) – Friday

Common Verbs

Verbs are the backbone of any language, enabling you to describe actions and states. Here are some common Armenian verbs:

– **Linel** (լինել) – To be
– **Unenal** (ունենալ) – To have
– **Gnal** (գնալ) – To go
– **Gal** (գալ) – To come
– **Serel** (սիրել) – To love
– **Asel** (ասել) – To say
– **Lsel** (լսել) – To hear
– **Tesnel** (տեսնել) – To see
– **Gitel** (գիտել) – To know
– **Karagel** (կարողանալ) – To be able

Common Nouns

Nouns are essential for naming people, places, and things. Here are some common Armenian nouns that you will find useful:

– **Mart** (մարդ) – Person
– **Tun** (տուն) – House
– **Dpir** (դպրոց) – School
– **Girq** (գիրք) – Book
– **Mayr** (մայր) – Mother
– **Hayr** (հայր) – Father
– **Yerexa** (երեխա) – Child
– **Serund** (սերունդ) – Family
– **Ashkharh** (աշխարհ) – World
– **Orenk** (օրենք) – Law

Food and Drink

Food and drink are a big part of any culture. Here are some basic Armenian words related to food and drink:

– **Jash** (ճաշ) – Food
– **Hats** (հաց) – Bread
– **Jermuk** (ջերմուկ) – Water
– **Gini** (գինի) – Wine
– **Katar** (կաթ) – Milk
– **Mrtsi** (մրգի) – Fruit
– **Banjor** (բանջարեղեն) – Vegetable
– **Alur** (ալյուր) – Flour
– **Serund** (միս) – Meat
– **Dzmeruk** (ձմերուկ) – Watermelon

Colors

Colors are another basic vocabulary group that is very useful for describing your surroundings. Here are some common Armenian color words:

– **Karmir** (կարմիր) – Red
– **Kapor** (կապույտ) – Blue
– **Kanach** (կանաչ) – Green
– **Dek** (դեղին) – Yellow
– **Sev** (սև) – Black
– **Spitak** (սպիտակ) – White
– **Narnjaguyn** (նարնջագույն) – Orange
– **Mokhraguyn** (մոխրագույն) – Gray
– **Manushakaguyn** (մանուշակագույն) – Purple
– **Voskeaguyn** (ոսկեգույն) – Gold

Family Members

Talking about family is often one of the first conversational topics in any language. Here are the Armenian words for family members:

– **Mayr** (մայր) – Mother
– **Hayr** (հայր) – Father
– **Kuyr** (քույր) – Sister
– **Yekhpayr** (եղբայր) – Brother
– **Tatik** (տատիկ) – Grandmother
– **Papik** (պապիկ) – Grandfather
– **Erkhaner** (երեխաներ) – Children
– **Mekn** (մեկն) – Aunt
– **Keri** (քեռի) – Uncle
– **Nver** (նորածին) – Baby

Questions Words

Being able to ask questions is crucial for effective communication. Here are some important Armenian question words:

– **Inch** (ինչ) – What
– **Vortex** (որտեղ) – Where
– **Vonts** (ինչպես) – How
– **Ov** (ով) – Who
– **Erb** (երբ) – When
– **Inchu** (ինչու) – Why
– **Vochinch** (ոչինչ) – Nothing

Prepositions

Prepositions help you to describe the relationship between different objects. Here are some common Armenian prepositions:

– **Mej** (մեջ) – In
– **Vra** (վրա) – On
– **Tak** (տակ) – Under
– **Mot** (մոտ) – Near
– **Heru** (հեռու) – Far
– **Mij** (միջ) – Between
– **Het** (հետ) – With
– **Aranc** (առանց) – Without
– **Tsov** (ցուփ) – Beside
– **Pati** (պատին) – Against

Adjectives

Adjectives are used to describe nouns and add more detail to your sentences. Here are some common Armenian adjectives:

– **Lav** (լավ) – Good
– **Vat** (վատ) – Bad
– **Mets** (մեծ) – Big
– **Poqr** (փոքր) – Small
– **Aknark** (արագ) – Fast
– **Dandagh** (դանդաղ) – Slow
– **Seghm** (գեղեցիկ) – Beautiful
– **Anseghm** (տգեղ) – Ugly
– **Tsnund** (ծեր) – Old
– **Nor** (նոր) – New

Common Phrases

Finally, let’s look at some common phrases that you might find useful in everyday conversations:

– **Bari or** (բարի օր) – Have a nice day
– **Shat lav** (շատ լավ) – Very good
– **Im anun@ … e** (իմ անունը … է) – My name is …
– **Yes hayeren chgitem** (ես հայերեն չգիտեմ) – I don’t speak Armenian
– **Karogh eq krknel?** (կարող եք կրկնել?) – Can you repeat that?
– **Inchpes karogh em ognel?** (Ինչպես կարող եմ օգնել?) – How can I help?
– **Vonts karogh em gnal … ?** (Ինչպես կարող եմ գնալ … ?) – How can I go to … ?
– **Ooremen** (ուրեմն) – Therefore/So
– **Amen inch** (ամեն ինչ) – Everything
– **Inchu che?** (Ինչու չէ?) – Why not?

Conclusion

Learning a new language is always a rewarding experience, and getting a good grasp of the basic vocabulary is a significant first step. With these essential Armenian words and phrases, you will be well on your way to understanding and participating in simple conversations. Remember to practice regularly, listen to native speakers, and immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. Good luck, or as they say in Armenian, Hajoghutyun!