Armenia, a country with a rich history and vibrant culture, has much to offer to travelers. Whether you’re navigating the bustling streets of Yerevan or exploring the picturesque countryside, knowing some basic Armenian phrases can be incredibly helpful. One of the most practical sets of phrases to learn is those related to asking for directions. In this article, we’ll cover essential Armenian phrases for asking directions, so you can feel more confident and comfortable during your visit.
Basic Vocabulary
Before diving into specific phrases, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with some basic vocabulary that will frequently appear in direction-related conversations. Here are a few key terms:
– **Yes** – Այո (Ayo)
– **No** – Ոչ (Voch)
– **Please** – Խնդրում եմ (Khndrum em)
– **Thank you** – Շնորհակալություն (Shnorhakalutyun)
– **Excuse me** – Ներեցեք (Neretseyk)
– **Where** – Որտեղ (Vortegh)
– **Left** – Ձախ (Dzakh)
– **Right** – Աջ (Aj)
– **Straight** – Ուղիղ (Ughigh)
– **Street** – Փողոց (P’voghots)
– **Road** – Ճանապարհ (Chanaparh)
– **Near** – Մոտ (Mot)
– **Far** – Հեռու (Herru)
– **Next to** – Կողքին (Koghkin)
– **Behind** – Հետևում (Hetevum)
– **In front of** – Առջեւում (Arrjevum)
– **Intersection** – Խաչմերուկ (Khachmeruk)
– **Traffic light** – Լուսացույց (Lusatsuyts)
Starting the Conversation
When approaching someone to ask for directions, it’s always polite to begin with a greeting and a phrase to capture their attention. Here are a few examples:
– **Hello, excuse me** – Բարեւ, ներեցեք (Barev, neretseyk)
– **Excuse me, can you help me?** – Ներեցեք, կարո՞ղ եք օգնել ինձ: (Neretseyk, karo՞gh yek ognel indz?)
Common Questions
Once you’ve initiated the conversation, you can move on to asking your question. Here are some of the most common phrases you might need:
– **Where is the street?** – Փողոցը որտե՞ղ է: (P’voghotsuh vorte՞gh e?)
– **How do I get to the square?** – Ինչպե՞ս հասնեմ հրապարակ: (Inchpe՞s hasnem hraparak?)
– **Is it far from here?** – Հեռո՞ւ է այստեղից: (Herru՞ e aysteghits?)
– **Is it near here?** – Մո՞տ է այստեղ: (Mo՞t e aystegh?)
– **Which way to the metro station?** – Ո՞ր ճանապարհով գնամ մետրոյի կայարան: (Vo՞r chanaparhov gnam metroi kayaran?)
Understanding Directions
After asking for directions, the person you’re speaking with will likely respond with instructions. Here are some phrases you might hear and need to understand:
– **Go straight** – Ուղիղ գնացեք (Ughigh gnatseyk)
– **Turn left** – Ձախ թեքվեք (Dzakh thekvek)
– **Turn right** – Աջ թեքվեք (Aj thekvek)
– **At the intersection** – Խաչմերուկում (Khachmerukum)
– **At the traffic light** – Լուսացույցի մոտ (Lusatsuytsi mot)
– **Next to the park** – Այգու կողքին (Ayguh koghkin)
– **Behind the building** – Շենքի հետևում (Shenki hetevoom)
– **In front of the store** – Խանութի առջևում (Khanuti arrjevum)
Additional Questions
Sometimes, you might need to ask for more specific details to ensure you understand the directions correctly. Here are some additional questions you can use:
– **How many blocks?** – Քանի՞ թաղամաս: (Kani՞ taghamas?)
– **Is it on the left or right?** – Ձախ կողմի՞ն է, թե՞ աջ: (Dzakh koghmin՞ e, t’e՞ aj?)
– **Can you show me on the map?** – Կարո՞ղ եք ցույց տալ քարտեզի վրա: (Karo՞gh yek tsuyts tal khartezi vra?)
– **Is there a landmark nearby?** – Մոտակայքում կա՞ նշանավոր տեղ: (Motakaykum ka՞ nshanavor tegh?)
Responding to Directions
When someone provides you with directions, it’s important to acknowledge and thank them. Here are a few phrases you can use:
– **Thank you very much** – Շատ շնորհակալ եմ (Shat shnorhakal em)
– **I understand, thank you** – Հասկացա, շնորհակալություն (Haskatsa, shnorhakalutyun)
– **Thank you for your help** – Շնորհակալ եմ ձեր օգնության համար (Shnorhakal em dzer ognutyan hamar)
Practice Scenarios
To help you become more comfortable with these phrases, let’s go through a couple of practice scenarios.
**Scenario 1: Finding a Café**
You are in Yerevan and looking for a specific café called “Café Central.”
You: Բարև, ներեցեք: Կարո՞ղ եք օգնել ինձ: (Barev, neretseyk. Karo՞gh yek ognel indz?)
Local: Այո, իհարկե: Ինչով կարող եմ օգնել: (Ayo, iharke. Inchov karogh em ognel?)
You: Որտե՞ղ է Café Central-ը: (Vorte՞gh e Café Central-uh?)
Local: Café Central-ը այս փողոցի վերջում է, աջ կողմում: Ուղիղ գնացեք, հետո աջ թեքվեք: (Café Central-uh ays p’voghotsi verjum e, aj koghmin. Ughigh gnatseyk, heto aj thekvek.)
You: Շնորհակալություն: (Shnorhakalutyun.)
**Scenario 2: Finding the Metro Station**
You are trying to find the nearest metro station.
You: Ներեցեք, կարո՞ղ եք օգնել ինձ: (Neretseyk, karo՞gh yek ognel indz?)
Local: Այո, իհարկե: (Ayo, iharke.)
You: Ո՞ր ճանապարհով գնամ մետրոյի կայարան: (Vo՞r chanaparhov gnam metroi kayaran?)
Local: Ուղիղ գնացեք, հետո ձախ թեքվեք խաչմերուկում: Մետրոյի կայարանը կլինի աջ կողմում: (Ughigh gnatseyk, heto dzakh thekvek khachmerukum. Metroi kayarany kliny aj koghmin.)
You: Հասկացա, շատ շնորհակալ եմ: (Haskatsa, shat shnorhakal em.)
Useful Tips
– **Practice Pronunciation:** Armenian can be a challenging language to pronounce correctly. Take the time to listen to native speakers and practice your pronunciation.
– **Use Polite Forms:** Always use polite forms when asking for directions to show respect.
– **Carry a Map:** Having a map on hand can be extremely useful. You can point to locations on the map if you have trouble understanding or being understood.
– **Learn Landmarks:** Familiarize yourself with key landmarks and their names in Armenian. This will make it easier to follow directions.
– **Be Patient:** Don’t be afraid to ask someone to repeat or slow down if you didn’t understand. Most people will appreciate your effort to speak their language and will be happy to help.
Conclusion
Learning a few essential phrases for asking directions in Armenian can greatly enhance your travel experience. Not only will it help you navigate more easily, but it will also allow you to connect more deeply with the local culture. Practice these phrases, use them confidently, and enjoy your time exploring the beautiful country of Armenia. Safe travels!
