How to Say Hello in Armenian: Complete Guide to Greetings

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. According to Ethnologue, Armenian is spoken by approximately 7 million people worldwide.

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.

Explore our Armenian vocabulary guide and our Armenian language page to go deeper.

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

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

• 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

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

Բարև letter by letter: Բ-ա-ր-և (the ® "ew" is a ligature letter unique to Armenian)

The "ew" , A Unique Letter

և (yev) is a unique ligature , a combination of "é" and "w" , pronounced yev (and) that frequently appears in written Armenian.

Greetings by Time of Day

Bari luys , "Good Light"

The Armenian morning greeting, Բարի լույս (Bari luys), literally means "good light." A poetic way to welcome the dawn , typical of the Armenian sensitivity for lyricism and the beauty of words.

Vonts es , How Are You?

Common Responses

Shnorhagalem (shnor-ha-ga-LEM) = thank you , a long but musical word that expresses sincere gratitude.

Eastern vs Western Armenian

Armenian divides into two major variants that differ enough to be considered two distinct dialects:

Eastern Armenian (Hayeren)

• 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

Western Armenian (Araratian)

• 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

If you're learning Armenian to travel to Armenia → Eastern Armenian. If you want to connect with the diaspora → Western Armenian.

In practice: Barev is understood and used in both variants. Start there and refine later.

Essential Expressions

Genatst! (geh-NATST) , the Armenian toast, word for word "long live [your health]." Armenian brandy (konyak) is a national pride , the Yerevan cellars have been producing world-renowned brandies since the 19th century.

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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Want to explore Armenian? Join our courses with native teachers in Eastern or Western Armenian depending on your goal.

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Sources and References

• Armenian — Ethnologue: Armenian is spoken by about 6.7 million native speakers. Language family: Indo-European, Armenian branch.
• Wikipedia — Armenian: encyclopedic information on the language, its geographic area and official status.
• Targumi — Learn Armenian: courses with certified native teachers.

Further Reading

• Learn Armenian on Targumi — courses with native teachers
• Armenian vocabulary essentials — key words and phrases
• All languages on Targumi — 106 languages taught