As an intermediate learner of Armenian, you’ve already mastered the basics and are now ready to expand your vocabulary and understanding of the language. This stage is crucial as it bridges the gap between basic communication and fluency. In this article, we will explore some essential Armenian words and phrases that every intermediate learner should know. These words will not only enhance your speaking and listening skills but also give you a deeper appreciation of Armenian culture and society.
Nouns
Nouns form the backbone of any language. Knowing a wide range of nouns will allow you to describe the world around you more accurately and engage in more complex conversations.
Տուն (tun) – House/Home
Understanding how to describe your living situation or ask about someone else’s home is fundamental. Example: Իմ տունը մեծ է։ (Im tunə mec e.) – My house is big.
Գիրք (girq) – Book
If you are a language learner, books are likely your best friends. Example: Ես կարդում եմ գիրք։ (Yes kardum em girq.) – I am reading a book.
Երկիր (yerkir) – Country
Talking about countries is often a part of daily conversations, especially if you love traveling or learning about different cultures. Example: Հայաստանը իմ սիրած երկիրն է։ (Hayastanə im sirats yerkirn e.) – Armenia is my favorite country.
Մարդ (mard) – Person
You’ll frequently find yourself talking about people, so knowing this noun is essential. Example: Այդ մարդը իմ ընկերն է։ (Ayd mardə im ungern e.) – That person is my friend.
Աշխատանք (ashkhatank) – Work/Job
Work is a common topic of conversation. Example: Իմ աշխատանքը հետաքրքիր է։ (Im ashkhatankə hetakhrkir e.) – My job is interesting.
Verbs
Verbs are action words that allow you to describe what you or others are doing. Here are some intermediate-level verbs that will enrich your vocabulary.
Աշխատել (ashkhatel) – To work
Example: Ես աշխատում եմ գրասենյակում։ (Yes ashkhatum em grasenyakum.) – I work in an office.
Ուսումնասիրել (usumnasirrel) – To study/Research
Example: Նա ուսումնասիրում է պատմությունը։ (Na usumnasirrum e patmuthyunə.) – He/She is studying history.
Խոսել (khosel) – To speak
Example: Ես խոսում եմ հայերեն։ (Yes khosum em hayeren.) – I speak Armenian.
Տեսնել (tesnel) – To see
Example: Ես տեսնում եմ գեղեցիկ լեռներ։ (Yes tesnum em geghetsik lerrner.) – I see beautiful mountains.
Ուտել (utel) – To eat
Example: Ես ուտում եմ խնձոր։ (Yes utum em khndzor.) – I am eating an apple.
Adjectives
Adjectives help you describe nouns and give more detail to your sentences. Here are some useful adjectives for intermediate learners.
Գեղեցիկ (gegh·et·sik) – Beautiful
Example: Այդ տունը շատ գեղեցիկ է։ (Ayd tunə shat geghetsik e.) – That house is very beautiful.
Մեծ (mets) – Big
Example: Իմ քաղաքը մեծ է։ (Im kaghakə mets e.) – My city is big.
Փոքր (p’ok’r) – Small
Example: Նա ունի փոքր շուն։ (Na uni p’ok’r shun.) – He/She has a small dog.
Հետաքրքիր (hetak’rk’ir) – Interesting
Example: Այս գիրքը շատ հետաքրքիր է։ (Ays girqə shat hetak’rk’ir e.) – This book is very interesting.
Հին (hin) – Old
Example: Այդ մեքենան հին է։ (Ayd meqenan hin e.) – That car is old.
Adverbs
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, providing more context to your sentences. Here are some useful adverbs for intermediate Armenian learners.
Արագ (arag) – Quickly
Example: Նա արագ վազում է։ (Na arag vazum e.) – He/She runs quickly.
Կամաց (kamats) – Slowly
Example: Խնդրում եմ, կամաց խոսեք։ (Khndrum em, kamats khosek.) – Please speak slowly.
Շատ (shat) – Very
Example: Շատ սիրուն է։ (Shat sirun e.) – It’s very pretty.
Հաճախ (hachakh) – Often
Example: Ես հաճախ եմ գնում այնտեղ։ (Yes hachakh em gnum ayntegh.) – I often go there.
Երբեմն (yerb’əmn) – Sometimes
Example: Ես երբեմն եմ գնում մարզասրահ։ (Yes yerb’əmn em gnum marzasrah.) – I sometimes go to the gym.
Phrases for Daily Conversations
Incorporating useful phrases into your daily conversations will make you sound more natural and fluent. Here are some phrases that are particularly useful for intermediate learners.
Ինչպե՞ս ես (Inch’pes yes) – How are you?
A common greeting that you can use in various situations. Example: Ինչպե՞ս ես այսօր։ (Inch’pes yes aysor.) – How are you today?
Շնորհակալություն (Shnorhakalut’yun) – Thank you
Expressing gratitude is essential in any language. Example: Շնորհակալություն օգնության համար։ (Shnorhakalut’yun ognut’yan hamar.) – Thank you for the help.
Կարո՞ղ եմ օգնել (Karoġ em ognel) – Can I help?
Offering help is a polite gesture. Example: Կարո՞ղ եմ օգնել ձեզ։ (Karoġ em ognel dzez.) – Can I help you?
Ի՞նչ ես անում (Inch’ yes anum) – What are you doing?
A question that can start many interesting conversations. Example: Ի՞նչ ես անում հիմա։ (Inch’ yes anum hima.) – What are you doing now?
Սիրում եմ քեզ (Sirum em k’ez) – I love you
An important phrase for personal relationships. Example: Ես սիրում եմ քեզ։ (Yes sirum em k’ez.) – I love you.
Numbers and Counting
Being able to count and understand numbers is crucial for many aspects of daily life, such as shopping, telling time, and discussing dates.
Մեկ (mek) – One
Երկու (yerku) – Two
Երեք (yerek) – Three
Չորս (ch’ors) – Four
Հինգ (hink) – Five
Վեց (vets) – Six
Յոթ (yot’) – Seven
Ութ (ut’) – Eight
Ինը (inə) – Nine
Տասը (tasə) – Ten
Understanding how to use these numbers in different contexts will greatly enhance your conversational skills. Example: Ես ունեմ երեք գիրք։ (Yes unem yerek girq.) – I have three books.
Pronouns
Pronouns are essential for constructing sentences and making your speech more fluid. Here are some important pronouns to know.
Ես (yes) – I
Դու (du) – You (singular, informal)
Նա (na) – He/She
Մենք (menk’) – We
Դուք (duk’) – You (plural or formal)
Նրանք (nrank’) – They
Example: Մենք գնում ենք։ (Menk’ gnum enk’.) – We are going.
Prepositions
Prepositions are words that link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words within a sentence. They help to give more context to your sentences.
Մեջ (mej) – In
Example: Գիրքը պայուսակի մեջ է։ (Girqə payusaki mej e.) – The book is in the bag.
Վրա (vra) – On
Example: Մատիտը սեղանի վրա է։ (Matitə seghani vra e.) – The pencil is on the table.
Կողքին (koghkin) – Next to
Example: Աշխատում եմ քո կողքին։ (Ashkhatum em ko koghin.) – I work next to you.
Մոտ (mot) – Near
Example: Հյուրանոցը մոտ է։ (Hyuranotsə mot e.) – The hotel is near.
Հետ (het) – With
Example: Ես գնում եմ ընկերոջս հետ։ (Yes gnum em ungerojis het.) – I am going with my friend.
Useful Expressions
To sound more natural and fluent, it’s important to know some common expressions that are frequently used by native speakers.
Ինչպես միշտ (inch’pes misht) – As always
Example: Ինչպես միշտ, նա ուշանում է։ (Inch’pes misht, na ushnum e.) – As always, he/she is late.
Հաջողություն (hajoghut’yun) – Good luck
Example: Հաջողություն քննությանը։ (Hajoghut’yun knnut’yanə.) – Good luck with the exam.
Հասկանալի է (haskanali e) – It’s understandable
Example: Քո ասածը հասկանալի է։ (Ko asatsə haskanali e.) – What you said is understandable.
Խնդրեմ (khndrem) – Please/You’re welcome
Example: Խնդրեմ, նստեք։ (Khndrem, nstek’.) – Please, sit down.
Իհարկե (iharke) – Of course
Example: Իհարկե, ես կգամ։ (Iharke, yes k’gam.) – Of course, I will come.
Days of the Week
Knowing the days of the week is essential for making plans, scheduling activities, and understanding dates.
Երկուշաբթի (erkushabti) – Monday
Երեքշաբթի (yerekshabti) – Tuesday
Չորեքշաբթի (ch’orekshabti) – Wednesday
Հինգշաբթի (hingshabti) – Thursday
Ուրբաթ (urpat) – Friday
Շաբաթ (shabat) – Saturday
Կիրակի (kiraki) – Sunday
Example: Ես ազատ եմ կիրակի։ (Yes azat em kiraki.) – I am free on Sunday.
Months of the Year
Understanding the months of the year is also crucial for discussing events, birthdays, holidays, and other time-related activities.
Հունվար (hunar) – January
Փետրվար (petrvar) – February
Մարտ (mart) – March
Ապրիլ (april) – April
Մայիս (mayis) – May
Հունիս (hunis) – June
Հուլիս (hulis) – July
Օգոստոս (ogostos) – August
Սեպտեմբեր (sept’ember) – September
Հոկտեմբեր (hokt’ember) – October
Նոյեմբեր (noyember) – November
Դեկտեմբեր (dekt’ember) – December
Example: Իմ ծննդյան օրը հունվարին է։ (Im tsnndyan orə hunvarin e.) – My birthday is in January.
Conclusion
Expanding your vocabulary is an essential part of progressing from an intermediate to an advanced level in any language. The words and phrases covered in this article provide a strong foundation for more complex conversations and a deeper understanding of Armenian culture. Remember to practice using these words in sentences and real-life conversations to fully integrate them into your language skills. Happy learning!
