Armenian is one of the world's great ancient languages. With an alphabet created in 405 AD by the monk Mesrop Mashtots (one of the most original and aesthetic alphabets ever devised), a Christian tradition dating to 301 AD (the first nation in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion), and a diaspora scattered across the globe , from Los Angeles to Paris, from Beirut to Sydney , Armenian carries an extraordinary history.
The Armenian diaspora is significant across the English-speaking world, particularly in the United States and Australia. Learning to say hello in Armenian is a meaningful way to connect with this proud and resilient community.
1. Barev , The Universal Armenian Greeting 2. The Armenian Alphabet 3. Greetings by Time of Day 4. Vonts es , How Are You? 5. Eastern vs Western Armenian 6. Essential Expressions 7. Armenian Culture
Barev , The Universal Armenian Greeting
Բարև , in transliteration: Barev (pronounced ba-REV) , is the most common Armenian greeting. Simple, musical and easy to remember.Pronunciation
- Ba: simple ba
- rev: rev, the "e" is open as in "red"
- Stress on the second syllable: ba-REV
- Barev! (ba-REV) , informal, singular address
- Barev dzez! (ba-REV dzez) , formal, plural address (dzez = you, plural/formal)
- Barev barev! , repeated, very warm between friends
- Spoken in Armenia (Yerevan), Iran and Russia
- Pronunciation: B, D, G pronounced as in English
- Barev = ba-REV
- This is the "official" form and most widely taught as a foreign language
- Spoken by the diaspora (USA, France, Lebanon, Argentina, Australia)
- Pronunciation: B = P, D = T, G = K
- Barev = pa-REV (the B is pronounced P)
- The mother tongue of the Armenian-American and Armenian-Australian diaspora
Etymology
Barev comes from bar (goodness, kindness) + a wishing suffix. Literally "may all good [be with you]." The same root gives bargavach (prosperous), barin (the good)...Forms Depending on Register
The formal/informal distinction is important in Armenian. With elderly people and strangers, always use Barev dzez.
The Armenian Alphabet
The Armenian alphabet (Հայոց գիր, Hayots gir) has 38 letters, created in 405 AD to enable the translation of the Bible into Armenian. Its rounded, elegant forms are immediately recognisable.
Some Letters for Greetings
| Armenian |
| Sound |
| ---------- |
| ------- |
| Բ / բ |
| B as in "be" |
| Ա / ա |
| Open A |
| Ր / ր |
| Rolled R |
| Ե / ե |
| "yeh" at start of word, "eh" elsewhere |
| Վ / վ |
| V as in "vine" |
| Ձ / ձ |
| DZ as in "adze" |
| Ք / ք |
| Ejective K (explosive) |
| Չ / չ |
| CH as in "church" |
| Armenian |
| Pronunciation |
| ---------- |
| --------------- |
| Բարի լույս |
| ba-RI looiss |
| Բարև |
| ba-REV |
| Բարի երեկո |
| ba-RI yeh-REH-ko |
| Բարի գիշեր |
| ba-RI ghi-SHER |
| Ցտեսություն |
| tsteh-soo-TYOON |
| Armenian |
| Meaning |
| ---------- |
| --------- |
| Ո՞նց ես |
| How are you? (informal) |
| Ո՞նց եք |
| How are you? (formal) |
| Inchk'an noros? |
| What's new? |
| Armenian |
| Meaning |
| ---------- |
| --------- |
| Lav em, shnorhagalem |
| Fine, thanks |
| Shisht'em |
| Very well |
| Hambemat |
| So-so |
| Shnorhagalem |
| Thank you (formal) |
| Armenian (Eastern) |
| English |
| -------------------- |
| --------- |
| Shnorhagalem |
| Thank you |
| Khndrem |
| Please |
| Neroghoutyan |
| Excuse me / Sorry |
| Ayo |
| Yes |
| Voch |
| No |
| Ourakh em dzanachanalou hamar |
| Nice to meet you |
| Ts'tesoutyoun |
| Goodbye |
| Genatst! |
| Cheers! |
Armenian Culture
The Memory of the Genocide The Armenian Genocide of 1915 is central to modern Armenian identity. International recognition is a deeply emotional matter. Approach the subject with respect and sensitivity. The Armenian-American Community The United States is home to one of the largest Armenian diaspora communities in the world , estimated at around 500,000 to 1 million people, particularly in California (Los Angeles, Glendale, Fresno). Figures like Cher (born Cherilyn Sarkisian) and tennis star Andre Agassi have Armenian roots. Ararat and the Lost Homeland Mount Ararat, the Armenian national symbol, is visible from Yerevan , but has been in Turkish territory since 1921. This geographical paradox captures something of the Armenian melancholy, the nostalgia (kaghouk) that permeates their poetry and music. The Duduk The duduk (an apricot-wood oboe) is the traditional Armenian instrument, inscribed on the UNESCO heritage list. Its soft, low sound is immediately recognisable , film composer Hans Zimmer and others have used it to evoke ancient emotion in major soundtracks.Conclusion
Armenian is a language that carries 3,000 years of history, resistance and beauty. Barev, Shnorhagalem and Genatst! will allow you to create genuine connections, whether in Yerevan or within the Armenian diaspora. No people appreciates more than Armenians the effort of learning a few words of their language , it is a recognition of their existence that touches them deeply.
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