Armenian is a rich and ancient language with a unique grammatical structure. Learning Armenian can be both challenging and rewarding, especially when it comes to mastering its tenses. One of the key aspects of Armenian grammar is the future tense. In this article, we will delve into how to form and use the future tense in Armenian, providing you with comprehensive insights and practical examples.
Understanding the Future Tense in Armenian
The future tense in Armenian is used to describe actions that will happen in the future. It corresponds to the English future tense, where we use “will” or “shall” to indicate that something is going to occur. Unlike English, Armenian has specific conjugation rules to form the future tense of verbs.
Forming the Future Tense
The future tense in Armenian is formed by using specific verb endings. These endings are added to the root of the verb. Armenian verbs are categorized into two main groups: regular and irregular verbs. For the sake of simplicity, we will first focus on regular verbs, which follow a consistent pattern.
Regular Verbs
To form the future tense of regular verbs in Armenian, you need to follow these steps:
1. **Identify the root of the verb**: The root is the base form of the verb, without any tense or person endings.
2. **Add the future tense endings**: The endings vary depending on the person (first, second, or third) and number (singular or plural).
Here are the future tense endings for regular verbs in Armenian:
– **First person singular**: -եմ (-em)
– **Second person singular**: -ես (-es)
– **Third person singular**: -ի (-i)
– **First person plural**: -ենք (-enk)
– **Second person plural**: -եք (-ek)
– **Third person plural**: -են (-en)
Let’s take the verb “գրել” (grel), which means “to write,” as an example:
– **Root**: գր- (gr-)
– **Future tense conjugation**:
– I will write: ես կգրեմ (yes kgre’m)
– You will write (singular): դու կգրես (du kgres)
– He/She/It will write: նա կգրի (na kgri)
– We will write: մենք կգրենք (menk kgren’k)
– You will write (plural/formal): դուք կգրեք (duk kgrek)
– They will write: նրանք կգրեն (nrank kg’ ren)
Irregular Verbs
Irregular verbs in Armenian do not follow the regular conjugation patterns. Instead, they have unique forms for the future tense. It is essential to memorize the future tense forms of these verbs, as they do not adhere to a single rule. Here are a few common irregular verbs and their future tense conjugations:
– **To be** (լինել – linel):
– I will be: ես կլինեմ (yes kline’m)
– You will be: դու կլինես (du klines)
– He/She/It will be: նա կլինի (na klin’i)
– We will be: մենք կլինենք (menk kline’nk)
– You will be (plural/formal): դուք կլինեք (duk klinek)
– They will be: նրանք կլինեն (nrank kline’n)
– **To have** (ունենալ – unenal):
– I will have: ես կունենամ (yes kunenam)
– You will have: դու կունենաս (du kunenas)
– He/She/It will have: նա կունենա (na kunena)
– We will have: մենք կունենանք (menk kunenank)
– You will have (plural/formal): դուք կունենաք (duk kunenak)
– They will have: նրանք կունենան (nrank kunenan)
– **To go** (գնալ – gnal):
– I will go: ես կգնամ (yes kgnam)
– You will go: դու կգնաս (du kgnas)
– He/She/It will go: նա կգնա (na kgna)
– We will go: մենք կգնանք (menk kgnank)
– You will go (plural/formal): դուք կգնաք (duk kgnak)
– They will go: նրանք կգնան (nrank kgnan)
Using the Future Tense
Now that you know how to form the future tense in Armenian, let’s explore its usage in different contexts. The future tense is primarily used to describe actions or events that will happen at a later time. It can also express intentions, predictions, and promises.
1. Describing Future Actions
The most common use of the future tense is to describe actions that will take place in the future. For example:
– Ես վաղը կգրեմ նամակ (Yes vaghy kgre’m namak) – I will write a letter tomorrow.
– Նա կգնա խանութ (Na kgna khanut) – He/She will go to the store.
– Մենք կհանդիպենք ժամը հինգին (Menk khan’dipen’k zhamy hingin) – We will meet at five o’clock.
2. Expressing Intentions
The future tense can also be used to express intentions or plans. For example:
– Ես կհանգստանամ հանգստյան օրերին (Yes khangstanam hangsty’an orerin) – I will rest during the weekend.
– Մենք կայցելենք մեր ընկերներին (Menk kaytselen’k mer unkernerin) – We will visit our friends.
– Նա կսովորի հայերեն (Na ksovori hayeren) – He/She will study Armenian.
3. Making Predictions
When making predictions about the future, the future tense is used. For example:
– Վաղը կդառնա տաք (Vaghy kdarna tak) – It will become warm tomorrow.
– Նա կհաղթի մրցույթում (Na khaghti mrtsuytum) – He/She will win the competition.
– Նրանք կհասնեն նպատակին (Nrank khasnen npatak’in) – They will reach the goal.
4. Giving Promises
The future tense is often used when making promises or commitments. For example:
– Ես կօգնեմ քեզ (Yes koghnem qez) – I will help you.
– Մենք կպահպանենք մեր խոստումը (Menk kpahpanen’k mer khostumy) – We will keep our promise.
– Նա կգա վաղը (Na kga vaghy) – He/She will come tomorrow.
Common Future Tense Expressions
In addition to forming the future tense with verbs, Armenian also has specific expressions and phrases commonly used to refer to future events. Here are some examples:
– **Վաղը (Vaghy)** – Tomorrow
– Վաղը կտեսնվենք (Vaghy ktesnvenk) – We will see each other tomorrow.
– **Հաջորդ շաբաթ (Hajord shapat)** – Next week
– Հաջորդ շաբաթ կայցելենք թանգարան (Hajord shapat kaytsele’nk t’angar’an) – We will visit the museum next week.
– **Շուտով (Shutov)** – Soon
– Նա շուտով կգա (Na shutov kga) – He/She will come soon.
– **Մի քանի օրից (Mi k’ani orits)** – In a few days
– Մի քանի օրից կվերադառնամ (Mi k’ani orits kveradarnam) – I will return in a few days.
Practice Makes Perfect
To master the future tense in Armenian, consistent practice is essential. Here are some practical tips to help you practice and reinforce your learning:
1. Create Sentences
Start by creating simple sentences using the future tense. Gradually increase the complexity of your sentences as you become more comfortable with the conjugation patterns.
2. Use Flashcards
Create flashcards with verbs in their root form on one side and their future tense conjugations on the other. Regularly review these flashcards to reinforce your memory.
3. Engage in Conversations
Practice speaking with native Armenian speakers or language partners. Use the future tense in conversations to describe your plans, intentions, and predictions.
4. Write Essays
Write short essays or diary entries about your future plans, goals, and aspirations. This will help you practice constructing sentences in the future tense.
5. Listen to Armenian Media
Listen to Armenian songs, watch movies, and follow news broadcasts. Pay attention to how the future tense is used in different contexts.
Conclusion
Mastering the future tense in Armenian is a crucial step in becoming proficient in the language. By understanding the conjugation patterns for regular and irregular verbs, and practicing their usage in various contexts, you will be well-equipped to express future actions, intentions, predictions, and promises in Armenian. Remember, consistent practice and immersion are key to achieving fluency. So, keep practicing and exploring the beautiful nuances of the Armenian language. Good luck!
