Learning a new language can be both an exciting and challenging journey. Armenian, with its rich history and unique alphabet, is a language that offers a rewarding experience for those willing to dive into its depths. One of the foundational elements of mastering any language is understanding its core verbs. In this article, we will explore some of the most common verbs in Armenian, providing you with a solid base to start building your vocabulary and conversational skills.
Introduction to Armenian Verbs
Armenian verbs are quite fascinating due to their structure and conjugation patterns. The language has a complex verb system with various tenses, moods, and aspects. However, by starting with the most commonly used verbs, you can gradually ease into more complex structures.
When learning Armenian verbs, it’s important to note that the language has two main dialects: Eastern Armenian and Western Armenian. This article will primarily focus on Eastern Armenian, which is the official language of Armenia and the more widely spoken dialect.
Basic Verbs in Armenian
Let’s begin with some basic verbs that you will frequently encounter in everyday conversations. These verbs will help you form simple sentences and express basic actions.
To Be – լինել (linel)
The verb “to be” is one of the most fundamental verbs in any language. In Armenian, it is “լինել” (linel). Here is how it is conjugated in the present tense:
– I am – ես եմ (yes em)
– You are (singular/informal) – դու ես (du es)
– He/She/It is – նա է (na e)
– We are – մենք ենք (menk enk)
– You are (plural/formal) – դուք եք (duk ek)
– They are – նրանք են (nrank en)
To Have – ունենալ (unenal)
The verb “to have” in Armenian is “ունենալ” (unenal). Its present tense conjugation is as follows:
– I have – ես ունեմ (yes unem)
– You have (singular/informal) – դու ունես (du unes)
– He/She/It has – նա ունի (na uni)
– We have – մենք ունենք (menk unenk)
– You have (plural/formal) – դուք ունեք (duk unek)
– They have – նրանք ունեն (nrank unen)
To Do/To Make – անել (anel)
“To do” or “to make” is translated as “անել” (anel) in Armenian. Here is its present tense conjugation:
– I do/make – ես անում եմ (yes anum em)
– You do/make (singular/informal) – դու անում ես (du anum es)
– He/She/It does/makes – նա անում է (na anum e)
– We do/make – մենք անում ենք (menk anum enk)
– You do/make (plural/formal) – դուք անում եք (duk anum ek)
– They do/make – նրանք անում են (nrank anum en)
To Go – գնալ (gnal)
The verb “to go” in Armenian is “գնալ” (gnal). Its present tense conjugation is:
– I go – ես գնում եմ (yes gnum em)
– You go (singular/informal) – դու գնում ես (du gnum es)
– He/She/It goes – նա գնում է (na gnum e)
– We go – մենք գնում ենք (menk gnum enk)
– You go (plural/formal) – դուք գնում եք (duk gnum ek)
– They go – նրանք գնում են (nrank gnum en)
To Come – գալ (gal)
The verb “to come” in Armenian is “գալ” (gal). Here is its present tense conjugation:
– I come – ես գալիս եմ (yes galis em)
– You come (singular/informal) – դու գալիս ես (du galis es)
– He/She/It comes – նա գալիս է (na galis e)
– We come – մենք գալիս ենք (menk galis enk)
– You come (plural/formal) – դուք գալիս եք (duk galis ek)
– They come – նրանք գալիս են (nrank galis en)
Essential Verbs for Daily Use
Beyond the basic verbs, there are some essential verbs that you will find incredibly useful in daily conversations. These verbs will help you express a wider range of actions and emotions.
To See – տեսնել (tesnel)
The verb “to see” in Armenian is “տեսնել” (tesnel). Its present tense conjugation is:
– I see – ես տեսնում եմ (yes tesnum em)
– You see (singular/informal) – դու տեսնում ես (du tesnum es)
– He/She/It sees – նա տեսնում է (na tesnum e)
– We see – մենք տեսնում ենք (menk tesnum enk)
– You see (plural/formal) – դուք տեսնում եք (duk tesnum ek)
– They see – նրանք տեսնում են (nrank tesnum en)
To Eat – ուտել (utel)
The verb “to eat” in Armenian is “ուտել” (utel). Here is its present tense conjugation:
– I eat – ես ուտում եմ (yes utum em)
– You eat (singular/informal) – դու ուտում ես (du utum es)
– He/She/It eats – նա ուտում է (na utum e)
– We eat – մենք ուտում ենք (menk utum enk)
– You eat (plural/formal) – դուք ուտում եք (duk utum ek)
– They eat – նրանք ուտում են (nrank utum en)
To Drink – խմել (khmel)
The verb “to drink” in Armenian is “խմել” (khmel). Its present tense conjugation is:
– I drink – ես խմում եմ (yes khmum em)
– You drink (singular/informal) – դու խմում ես (du khmum es)
– He/She/It drinks – նա խմում է (na khmum e)
– We drink – մենք խմում ենք (menk khmum enk)
– You drink (plural/formal) – դուք խմում եք (duk khmum ek)
– They drink – նրանք խմում են (nrank khmum en)
To Speak – խոսել (khosel)
The verb “to speak” in Armenian is “խոսել” (khosel). Here is its present tense conjugation:
– I speak – ես խոսում եմ (yes khosum em)
– You speak (singular/informal) – դու խոսում ես (du khosum es)
– He/She/It speaks – նա խոսում է (na khosum e)
– We speak – մենք խոսում ենք (menk khosum enk)
– You speak (plural/formal) – դուք խոսում եք (duk khosum ek)
– They speak – նրանք խոսում են (nrank khosum en)
To Know – գիտենալ (gitenal)
The verb “to know” in Armenian is “գիտենալ” (gitenal). Its present tense conjugation is:
– I know – ես գիտեմ (yes gitem)
– You know (singular/informal) – դու գիտես (du gites)
– He/She/It knows – նա գիտի (na giti)
– We know – մենք գիտենք (menk gitenk)
– You know (plural/formal) – դուք գիտեք (duk gitek)
– They know – նրանք գիտեն (nrank giten)
Practical Verbs for Conversational Armenian
To enhance your conversational skills, it’s helpful to learn some practical verbs that are commonly used in everyday dialogue. These verbs will enable you to engage in more meaningful interactions.
To Love – սիրել (sirel)
The verb “to love” in Armenian is “սիրել” (sirel). Its present tense conjugation is:
– I love – ես սիրում եմ (yes sirum em)
– You love (singular/informal) – դու սիրում ես (du sirum es)
– He/She/It loves – նա սիրում է (na sirum e)
– We love – մենք սիրում ենք (menk sirum enk)
– You love (plural/formal) – դուք սիրում եք (duk sirum ek)
– They love – նրանք սիրում են (nrank sirum en)
To Work – աշխատել (ashkhatel)
The verb “to work” in Armenian is “աշխատել” (ashkhatel). Here is its present tense conjugation:
– I work – ես աշխատում եմ (yes ashkhatum em)
– You work (singular/informal) – դու աշխատում ես (du ashkhatum es)
– He/She/It works – նա աշխատում է (na ashkhatum e)
– We work – մենք աշխատում ենք (menk ashkhatum enk)
– You work (plural/formal) – դուք աշխատում եք (duk ashkhatum ek)
– They work – նրանք աշխատում են (nrank ashkhatum en)
To Read – կարդալ (kardal)
The verb “to read” in Armenian is “կարդալ” (kardal). Its present tense conjugation is:
– I read – ես կարդում եմ (yes kardum em)
– You read (singular/informal) – դու կարդում ես (du kardum es)
– He/She/It reads – նա կարդում է (na kardum e)
– We read – մենք կարդում ենք (menk kardum enk)
– You read (plural/formal) – դուք կարդում եք (duk kardum ek)
– They read – նրանք կարդում են (nrank kardum en)
To Write – գրել (grel)
The verb “to write” in Armenian is “գրել” (grel). Here is its present tense conjugation:
– I write – ես գրում եմ (yes grum em)
– You write (singular/informal) – դու գրում ես (du grum es)
– He/She/It writes – նա գրում է (na grum e)
– We write – մենք գրում ենք (menk grum enk)
– You write (plural/formal) – դուք գրում եք (duk grum ek)
– They write – նրանք գրում են (nrank grum en)
To Understand – հասկանալ (haskanal)
The verb “to understand” in Armenian is “հասկանալ” (haskanal). Its present tense conjugation is:
– I understand – ես հասկանում եմ (yes haskanum em)
– You understand (singular/informal) – դու հասկանում ես (du haskanum es)
– He/She/It understands – նա հասկանում է (na haskanum e)
– We understand – մենք հասկանում ենք (menk haskanum enk)
– You understand (plural/formal) – դուք հասկանում եք (duk haskanum ek)
– They understand – նրանք հասկանում են (nrank haskanum en)
Tips for Practicing Armenian Verbs
To effectively learn and retain these common Armenian verbs, consider the following tips:
1. Consistent Practice: Regular practice is key to mastering any language. Try to use these verbs in sentences daily to reinforce your learning.
2. Flashcards: Create flashcards with the Armenian verb on one side and the English translation on the other. This can help you memorize and recall verbs quickly.
3. Language Exchange: Engage in language exchange with native Armenian speakers. This will give you practical experience and help you learn how these verbs are used in real conversations.
4. Contextual Learning: Learn verbs in the context of sentences rather than in isolation. This will help you understand how they function within the structure of the language.
5. Immersive Experience: Immerse yourself in Armenian media such as movies, music, and books. This will expose you to the natural usage of verbs and improve your comprehension skills.
Conclusion
Mastering common verbs in Armenian is a significant step towards becoming proficient in the language. By familiarizing yourself with these essential verbs and practicing them regularly, you will build a strong foundation for further language learning. Remember, consistency and immersion are key to language acquisition. So, keep practicing, stay curious, and enjoy the journey of learning Armenian!
