Armenian architecture is a captivating blend of ancient traditions and contemporary innovations. Its buildings, with their unique styles and historical significance, tell stories that span millennia. For language learners, describing these architectural marvels in Armenian not only provides a rich vocabulary but also deepens the understanding of Armenian culture and history. This article will guide you through the essential vocabulary and phrases needed to describe buildings and architecture in Armenian.
Essential Vocabulary for Describing Buildings
Before diving into complex descriptions, it’s vital to familiarize yourself with the basic vocabulary. Here are some foundational words and phrases:
– **Building**: շենք (shenq)
– **Architecture**: ճարտարապետություն (chartarapetut’yun)
– **House**: տուն (tun)
– **Church**: եկեղեցի (yekeghesi)
– **Castle**: ամրոց (amrots)
– **Tower**: աշտարակ (ashtarak)
– **Bridge**: կամուրջ (kamurj)
– **Door**: դուռ (durr)
– **Window**: պատուհան (patuhan)
– **Roof**: տանիք (tanik)
– **Wall**: պատ (pat)
– **Floor**: հատակ (hatak)
These words form the backbone of your descriptions and can be expanded upon with adjectives and more specific terms.
Describing Architectural Styles
Armenian architecture has evolved over centuries, incorporating various styles and influences. Here are some key terms to describe different architectural styles:
– **Ancient**: հին (hin)
– **Medieval**: միջնադարյան (mijnadaryan)
– **Modern**: ժամանակակից (zhamanakakits)
– **Traditional**: ավանդական (avandakan)
– **Gothic**: գոթական (got’akan)
– **Baroque**: բարոկկո (barokko)
To describe a building’s style, you can use the following structure:
– This building is of [style] architecture: Այս շենքը [style] ճարտարապետության է։ (Ays shenqə [style] chartarapetut’yan e.)
For example:
– This building is of medieval architecture: Այս շենքը միջնադարյան ճարտարապետության է։ (Ays shenqə mijnadaryan chartarapetut’yan e.)
Describing Architectural Elements
To provide a more detailed description, it’s essential to know the specific elements of buildings. Here are some important terms:
– **Column**: սյուն (syun)
– **Arch**: կամար (kamar)
– **Dome**: գմբեթ (gmbet)
– **Facade**: ճակատ (chakat)
– **Balcony**: պատշգամբ (patshgamb)
– **Stairs**: աստիճաններ (astichanner)
– **Courtyard**: բակ (bak)
You can describe these elements using adjectives:
– Tall column: բարձր սյուն (barzr syun)
– Beautiful arch: գեղեցիկ կամար (geghetsik kamar)
– Large dome: մեծ գմբեթ (mets gmbet)
For example:
– The building has a tall column and a beautiful arch: Շենքը ունի բարձր սյուն և գեղեցիկ կամար։ (Shenqə uni barzr syun yev geghetsik kamar.)
Describing Materials and Colors
Materials and colors play a significant role in describing buildings. Here are some essential terms:
– **Stone**: քար (kar)
– **Wood**: փայտ (payt)
– **Brick**: աղյուս (aghuyus)
– **Concrete**: բետոն (beton)
– **Glass**: ապակի (apaki)
– **Steel**: պողպատ (poghpat)
Colors:
– **Red**: կարմիր (karmir)
– **Blue**: կապույտ (kapuyt)
– **Green**: կանաչ (kanach)
– **Yellow**: դեղին (deghin)
– **White**: սպիտակ (spitak)
– **Black**: սև (sev)
To describe materials and colors, you can use the following structure:
– The [element] is made of [material] and is [color]: [Element]-ը պատրաստված է [material]-ից և [color] է։ ([Element]-ə patrastvats e [material]-its’ yev [color] e.)
For example:
– The wall is made of brick and is red: Պատը պատրաստված է աղյուսից և կարմիր է։ (Patə patrastvats e aghuyusits’ yev karmir e.)
Talking About Function and History
Describing the function and history of a building provides a more complete picture. Here are some useful phrases:
– **Function**: գործառույթ (gortsaruyt)
– **Historical significance**: պատմական նշանակություն (patmakan nshanakut’yun)
– **Built in**: կառուցված է (karuts’vats e)
– **Renovated in**: վերանորոգված է (veranorogvats e)
To describe the function and history, you can use the following structure:
– This building was built in [year] and has [function]: Այս շենքը կառուցված է [year]-ին և ունի [function]: (Ays shenqə karuts’vats e [year]-in yev uni [function].)
For example:
– This building was built in 1850 and has historical significance: Այս շենքը կառուցված է 1850-ին և ունի պատմական նշանակություն։ (Ays shenqə karuts’vats e 1850-in yev uni patmakan nshanakut’yun.)
Describing Unique Armenian Architectural Features
Armenian architecture has some unique features that are worth noting. Here are a few:
– **Khachkar** (cross-stone): խաչքար (khachkar)
– **Zvartnots style**: Զվարթնոց ոճ (Zvartnots voch)
– **Tuff stone**: տուֆ քար (tuf kar)
To describe these unique features, you can use the following structure:
– This building has [feature]: Այս շենքը ունի [feature]: (Ays shenqə uni [feature].)
For example:
– This building has a khachkar: Այս շենքը ունի խաչքար։ (Ays shenqə uni khachkar.)
Practicing Descriptions
To master the art of describing buildings and architecture in Armenian, practice is essential. Here are some exercises to help you:
1. **Observation Exercise**: Choose a building in your vicinity and describe it using the vocabulary and structures provided. Write down your description and, if possible, get feedback from a native Armenian speaker.
2. **Photo Description**: Find photos of famous Armenian buildings, such as the Cathedral of Echmiadzin or the Temple of Garni, and describe them in detail.
3. **Role Play**: Pair up with a fellow learner and take turns describing buildings to each other. This will help you practice speaking and listening skills simultaneously.
Example Descriptions
Let’s put everything together with some example descriptions:
1. **The Temple of Garni**:
– Armenian: Գառնու տաճարը կառուցված է առաջին դարում և ունի հունական ճարտարապետության ոճ։ Այն պատրաստված է բազալտից և ունի գեղեցիկ սյուներ։
– Transliteration: Garnu tacharə karuts’vats e arajin darum yev uni hunakan chartarapetut’yan voch. Ayn patrastvats e bazaltsits’ yev uni geghetsik syunner.
– English: The Temple of Garni was built in the 1st century and has a Greek architectural style. It is made of basalt and has beautiful columns.
2. **Cathedral of Echmiadzin**:
– Armenian: Էջմիածնի տաճարը կառուցված է 303 թվականին և ունի պատմական նշանակություն։ Այն պատրաստված է տուֆից և ունի մեծ գմբեթ։
– Transliteration: Ejmiatsni tacharə karuts’vats e 303 tvakanin yev uni patmakan nshanakut’yun. Ayn patrastvats e tufits’ yev uni mets gmbet.
– English: The Cathedral of Echmiadzin was built in 303 AD and has historical significance. It is made of tuff and has a large dome.
By practicing these descriptions, you’ll not only expand your Armenian vocabulary but also gain a deeper appreciation for the rich architectural heritage of Armenia.
Conclusion
Describing buildings and architecture in Armenian is a rewarding endeavor that enhances both language skills and cultural understanding. By learning essential vocabulary, practicing descriptions, and exploring the unique features of Armenian architecture, you will be well-equipped to convey the beauty and history of these structures in Armenian. Happy learning!
