Learning Armenian can be a rewarding experience, and it opens up a rich cultural heritage and a unique linguistic landscape. One of the fundamental aspects of mastering a new language is understanding the verbs and their various forms. In Armenian, verbs play a crucial role in sentence construction and convey different nuances depending on their forms. In this article, we will explore the verbs աշխատել (ashkhatel) and աշխատում (ashkhatum), which translate to “to work” and “working” in English, respectively. Understanding the difference between these forms will help you gain a deeper grasp of Armenian verb conjugation and usage.
Understanding Armenian Verbs
Before diving into the specifics of ashkhatel and ashkhatum, it’s essential to understand the basic structure of Armenian verbs. Armenian verbs are typically presented in their infinitive form, which is equivalent to the English “to” + verb (e.g., to work, to eat, to play). The infinitive form in Armenian usually ends in -ել (-el) or -ել (-al).
For example:
– գրել (grel) – to write
– խոսել (khosel) – to speak
– լսել (lsel) – to listen
These infinitive forms serve as the foundation for conjugating verbs in various tenses and moods.
աշխատել (ashkhatel) – To Work
The verb աշխատել (ashkhatel) is the infinitive form meaning “to work.” This form is used when you want to speak about the action of working in a general sense or when the verb is not yet conjugated to fit a specific subject or tense.
Examples:
– Ես ուզում եմ աշխատել։ (Yes uzum yem ashkhatel.) – I want to work.
– Նա պետք է աշխատել։ (Na petk’ e ashkhatel.) – He/She needs to work.
In these examples, ashkhatel is used to indicate the action of working without specifying who is performing the action or when it is taking place.
Understanding Verb Conjugation
To use the verb ashkhatel in a sentence, it often needs to be conjugated to match the subject and the tense. Armenian verb conjugation varies depending on the subject (I, you, he/she/it, we, you (plural), they) and the tense (present, past, future).
For instance, in the present tense:
– Ես աշխատում եմ։ (Yes ashkhatum em.) – I am working.
– Դու աշխատում ես։ (Du ashkhatum es.) – You are working.
– Նա աշխատում է։ (Na ashkhatum e.) – He/She/It is working.
As you can see, the verb ashkhatel is conjugated to ashkhatum to fit the present tense and match the subject of the sentence.
աշխատում (ashkhatum) – Working
The verb form աշխատում (ashkhatum) is the present tense conjugation of ashkhatel, indicating an ongoing action. It is equivalent to the English “-ing” form of the verb “to work” (i.e., working).
Examples:
– Մենք հիմա աշխատում ենք։ (Menk’ hima ashkhatum enk.) – We are working now.
– Նրանք աշխատում են դպրոցում։ (Nrank’ ashkhatum en dprotsum.) – They are working at the school.
In these examples, ashkhatum is used to describe the action of working as it is happening in the present moment.
Present Continuous Tense
The present continuous tense in Armenian is formed by conjugating the infinitive verb to match the subject and adding the appropriate ending. For the verb ashkhatel, the present continuous forms are as follows:
– Ես աշխատում եմ։ (Yes ashkhatum em.) – I am working.
– Դու աշխատում ես։ (Du ashkhatum es.) – You are working.
– Նա աշխատում է։ (Na ashkhatum e.) – He/She/It is working.
– Մենք աշխատում ենք։ (Menk’ ashkhatum enk.) – We are working.
– Դուք աշխատում եք։ (Duk’ ashkhatum ek.) – You (plural) are working.
– Նրանք աշխատում են։ (Nrank’ ashkhatum en.) – They are working.
This structure is consistent across most verbs in Armenian, making it relatively straightforward to learn and apply to various contexts.
Using աշխատել and աշխատում in Sentences
To effectively use ashkhatel and ashkhatum in sentences, it’s essential to understand their roles and how they interact with other parts of speech. Here are some examples to illustrate their usage in different contexts:
1. **Expressing Desires and Intentions:**
– Ես ուզում եմ աշխատել։ (Yes uzum yem ashkhatel.) – I want to work.
– Մենք պլանավորում ենք աշխատել այս նախագծի վրա։ (Menk’ planavorum enk ashkhatel ays nakhagtsi vra.) – We are planning to work on this project.
2. **Describing Ongoing Actions:**
– Նա հիմա աշխատում է։ (Na hima ashkhatum e.) – He/She is working now.
– Ես աշխատում եմ գրասենյակում։ (Yes ashkhatum em grasenyakum.) – I am working in the office.
3. **Giving Commands or Suggestions:**
– Պետք է աշխատել ավելի շատ։ (Petk’ e ashkhatel aveli shat.) – You need to work more.
– Եկեք աշխատենք միասին։ (Yekek’ ashkhatenk miatsin.) – Let’s work together.
In these examples, ashkhatel is used to express general actions or intentions, while ashkhatum describes ongoing actions in the present moment.
Common Mistakes and Tips
When learning to use ashkhatel and ashkhatum correctly, learners often encounter a few common pitfalls. Here are some tips to help you avoid these mistakes:
1. **Confusing Infinitive and Conjugated Forms:**
– Remember that ashkhatel is the infinitive form (to work) and should not be used when describing ongoing actions. Use the conjugated form ashkhatum for present continuous tense.
2. **Incorrect Subject-Verb Agreement:**
– Ensure that the verb form matches the subject in both number and person. For example, “I am working” is “Yes ashkhatum em,” not “Yes ashkhatum es.”
3. **Using the Wrong Tense:**
– Pay attention to the context to determine whether you need the infinitive form or a specific tense. For ongoing actions, use the present continuous tense (e.g., ashkhatum).
4. **Practice Regularly:**
– Regular practice is key to mastering verb forms. Try creating sentences using both ashkhatel and ashkhatum in different contexts to reinforce your understanding.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between ashkhatel (to work) and ashkhatum (working) is essential for effective communication in Armenian. By grasping the infinitive form and its present continuous conjugation, you can accurately describe actions and intentions related to working. Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to subject-verb agreement to avoid common mistakes. With time and effort, you’ll become proficient in using these verbs and gain confidence in your Armenian language skills. Happy learning!
