Understanding the intricacies of a new language can be both a challenging and rewarding experience. As you dive deeper into Armenian, you will come across various verbs that seem similar but are used in different contexts. Two such verbs are ասել (asel) and խոսել (khosel), which translate to “to say” and “to talk” respectively in English. While they may appear interchangeable at first glance, their uses are quite distinct. This article will help you understand the nuances between these two verbs and how to use them correctly in your Armenian conversations.
Understanding Ասել (Asel)
The verb ասել (asel) is primarily used to mean “to say” or “to tell.” It is typically employed when you are referring to the act of conveying specific information or statements. Here are some key points to remember about ասել:
Usage in Sentences
1. **Direct Quotation**: When you want to quote someone’s exact words, you use ասել.
– Example: Նա ասաց, “Ես կգամ վաղը։” (Na asats, “Yes kkam vaghy.”) – He said, “I will come tomorrow.”
2. **Reporting Speech**: When summarizing what someone has said, ասել is used.
– Example: Նա ասաց, որ կգա վաղը։ (Na asats, vor kga vaghy.) – He said that he will come tomorrow.
3. **Giving Information or Instructions**: When providing specific information or instructions, ասել is appropriate.
– Example: Նա ինձ ասաց ճշմարտությունը։ (Na indz asats chshmartutyuny.) – He told me the truth.
Conjugation
Like many Armenian verbs, ասել is conjugated based on tense and subject. Here are some examples of its conjugation in the present tense:
– Ես ասում եմ (Yes asum em) – I say
– Դու ասում ես (Du asum es) – You say
– Նա ասում է (Na asum e) – He/She says
– Մենք ասում ենք (Menk asum enk) – We say
– Դուք ասում եք (Duk asum ek) – You (plural/formal) say
– Նրանք ասում են (Nrank asum en) – They say
Understanding how to conjugate ասել correctly is crucial for using it effectively in conversations.
Understanding Խոսել (Khosel)
The verb խոսել (khosel) means “to talk” or “to speak.” It is used in contexts where the focus is on the act of speaking or engaging in conversation, rather than conveying specific information or statements. Here are some key points about խոսել:
Usage in Sentences
1. **Engaging in Conversation**: When talking about having a conversation with someone, խոսել is used.
– Example: Մենք խոսում էինք երեկ։ (Menk khosum einq yerek.) – We were talking yesterday.
2. **Language Proficiency**: When discussing someone’s ability to speak a language, you use խոսել.
– Example: Նա խոսում է անգլերեն։ (Na khosum e angleren.) – He/She speaks English.
3. **General Speaking**: For general references to the act of speaking, խոսել is appropriate.
– Example: Խոսիր ինձ հետ։ (Khosir indz het.) – Talk to me.
Conjugation
Similar to ասել, խոսել is conjugated based on tense and subject. Here are some examples in the present tense:
– Ես խոսում եմ (Yes khosum em) – I talk
– Դու խոսում ես (Du khosum es) – You talk
– Նա խոսում է (Na khosum e) – He/She talks
– Մենք խոսում ենք (Menk khosum enk) – We talk
– Դուք խոսում եք (Duk khosum ek) – You (plural/formal) talk
– Նրանք խոսում են (Nrank khosum en) – They talk
Proper conjugation of խոսել is essential for clear and correct communication in Armenian.
Comparing Ասել and Խոսել
To further clarify the differences between ասել and խոսել, let’s compare them in similar contexts:
1. **Direct Speech vs. Conversation**:
– Ասել: Նա ասաց, “Ես կգամ։” (Na asats, “Yes kkam.”) – He said, “I will come.”
– Խոսել: Մենք խոսում էինք նրա գալու մասին։ (Menk khosum einq nra galu masin.) – We were talking about his coming.
2. **Reporting vs. Engaging**:
– Ասել: Նա ասաց, որ կգա։ (Na asats, vor kga.) – He said that he will come.
– Խոսել: Նրանք խոսում էին նոր ֆիլմի մասին։ (Nrank khosum ein nor filmi masin.) – They were talking about the new movie.
3. **Information vs. Language**:
– Ասել: Նա ինձ ասաց ճշմարտությունը։ (Na indz asats chshmartutyuny.) – He told me the truth.
– Խոսել: Նա լավ է խոսում հայերեն։ (Na lav e khosum hayeren.) – He/She speaks Armenian well.
As you can see, ասել is more focused on conveying specific information or statements, whereas խոսել is about the act of speaking or having conversations.
Common Mistakes and Tips
When learning to differentiate between ասել and խոսել, beginners often make some common mistakes. Here are a few and tips on how to avoid them:
1. **Using Ասել for Conversations**:
– Mistake: Ես ասացի նրան ամբողջ օրը։ (Yes asatsi nran ambots ory.) – Incorrect
– Correction: Ես խոսում էի նրա հետ ամբողջ օրը։ (Yes khosum ei nra het ambots ory.) – I was talking to him all day.
2. **Using Խոսել for Direct Quotes**:
– Mistake: Նա խոսեց, “Ես կգամ։” (Na khosets, “Yes kkam.”) – Incorrect
– Correction: Նա ասաց, “Ես կգամ։” (Na asats, “Yes kkam.”) – He said, “I will come.”
3. **Mixing Up Language Proficiency**:
– Mistake: Նա ասում է անգլերեն։ (Na asum e angleren.) – Incorrect
– Correction: Նա խոսում է անգլերեն։ (Na khosum e angleren.) – He/She speaks English.
To avoid these mistakes, always remember the primary function of each verb: ասել for stating information and խոսել for speaking or conversing.
Practical Exercises
To reinforce your understanding of ասել and խոսել, here are some practical exercises:
1. **Sentence Completion**:
– Complete the sentences with the correct form of ասել or խոսել:
1. Նա ________, որ կգա վաղը։ (asats)
2. Մենք ________ էինք երեկ։ (khosum einq)
3. Խոսիր ինձ հետ, ես ուզում եմ ________ քեզ։ (khosir, asel)
2. **Translation Practice**:
– Translate the following sentences into Armenian:
1. He said he will come tomorrow.
2. We were talking about the new movie.
3. She speaks English well.
3. **Role Play**:
– Pair up with a language partner and practice dialogues using both ասել and խոսել. For instance, one person can give information, and the other can engage in a conversation about it.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of ասել and խոսել is a crucial step in becoming proficient in Armenian. By understanding their distinct uses and practicing regularly, you will be able to communicate more effectively and naturally. Remember, ասել is for conveying specific information or statements, while խոսել focuses on the act of speaking or engaging in conversation. Keep practicing, and soon these verbs will become second nature to you in your Armenian language journey.
