When learning a new language, one of the most practical areas to master is the vocabulary and phrases related to shopping and commerce. This is especially true if you are planning to travel to or live in a country where that language is spoken. For those learning Armenian, familiarizing yourself with key shopping and commerce phrases will not only make your daily life easier but will also enhance your overall language proficiency.
Armenian, an Indo-European language spoken primarily in Armenia, has its own unique set of phrases and terms used in various contexts. Whether you are visiting a bustling market in Yerevan, shopping for groceries, or making a purchase at a local boutique, knowing these phrases will come in handy.
Basic Shopping Phrases
Let’s start with some basic phrases that can be used in a variety of shopping scenarios:
1. **Hello/Hi** – **Բարեւ/Բարև** (Barev)
2. **Goodbye** – **Ցտեսություն** (Tstesutyun)
3. **Thank you** – **Շնորհակալություն** (Shnorhakalutyun)
4. **Please** – **Խնդրում եմ** (Khndrum em)
5. **Yes** – **Այո** (Ayo)
6. **No** – **Ոչ** (Voch)
Inquiring About Products
When you’re shopping, you often need to ask about products. Here are some useful phrases:
1. **How much does this cost?** – **Սա ինչ արժե՞** (Sa inch arzhe?)
2. **Do you have this in a different color?** – **Սա այլ գույնով ունե՞ք** (Sa ayl guynov uneq?)
3. **Is this available in my size?** – **Սա իմ չափսով կա՞** (Sa im chaptsov ka?)
4. **Can I try this on?** – **Կարո՞ղ եմ սա փորձել** (Karogh em sa pordzel?)
5. **Where can I find…?** – **Որտեղ կարող եմ գտնել…?** (Vortegh karogh em gtnel…?)
Specific Types of Stores
Knowing the names of specific types of stores can be very useful:
1. **Grocery Store** – **Մթերային խանութ** (Mterayin khanut)
2. **Pharmacy** – **Դեղատուն** (Deghatun)
3. **Clothing Store** – **Հագուստի խանութ** (Hagusti khanut)
4. **Bookstore** – **Գրախանութ** (Grakhanut)
5. **Bakery** – **Հացատուն** (Hatsatun)
Making a Purchase
When it comes time to make a purchase, these phrases will help you navigate the process smoothly:
1. **I would like to buy this.** – **Ես ուզում եմ սա գնել** (Yes uzum em sa gnel)
2. **Do you accept credit cards?** – **Կրեդիտ քարտ ընդունո՞ւմ եք** (Kredit kart yndunoom eq?)
3. **Can I pay with cash?** – **Կարո՞ղ եմ կանխիկ վճարել** (Karogh em kankhik vcharel?)
4. **I need a receipt, please.** – **Խնդրում եմ, ինձ անդորրագիր տվեք** (Khndrum em, indz andorragir tvek)
5. **Is there a discount?** – **Զեղչ կա՞** (Zeghch ka?)
Bargaining and Negotiation
In some markets and stores, bargaining is common. Here are phrases to help you negotiate:
1. **Can you lower the price?** – **Կարո՞ղ եք գինը իջեցնել** (Karogh eq giny ijetsnel?)
2. **What is your best price?** – **Ո՞րն է ձեր լավագույն գինը** (Vorn e dzer lavaguyn giny?)
3. **I will buy more if you lower the price.** – **Ես ավելի շատ կգնեմ, եթե գինը իջեցնեք** (Yes aveli shat kgnen, yete giny ijetsneq)
4. **That’s too expensive.** – **Դա շատ թանկ է** (Da shat t’ank e)
5. **Can you offer a better deal?** – **Կարո՞ղ եք ավելի լավ գործարք առաջարկել** (Karogh eq aveli lav gortzark arrajarkel?)
Understanding and Clarifying
Sometimes, you might need further clarification on a product or a deal:
1. **Can you explain this to me?** – **Կարո՞ղ եք սա ինձ բացատրել** (Karogh eq sa indz batsatrel?)
2. **What is the warranty on this product?** – **Ինչպիսի երաշխիք կա այս ապրանքի վրա** (Inchpisi yerashkik ka ays apranqi vra?)
3. **Is this refundable?** – **Սա վերադարձնելի՞ է** (Sa veradartsneli e?)
4. **Is there a return policy?** – **Կա՞ վերադարձի քաղաքականություն** (Ka veradartsi qaghakakutiun?)
5. **Do you have a catalog?** – **Կատալոգ ունե՞ք** (Katalog uneq?)
Describing Problems
In the event that you encounter an issue with a product, these phrases can help you describe the problem:
1. **This is defective.** – **Սա անսարք է** (Sa ansark e)
2. **This doesn’t work.** – **Սա չի աշխատում** (Sa chi ashkhatum)
3. **I would like to return this.** – **Ես ուզում եմ սա վերադարձնել** (Yes uzum em sa veradartsnel)
4. **I need a replacement.** – **Ես փոխարինում եմ պետք** (Yes pokharinum em petk)
5. **I want a refund.** – **Ես ուզում եմ վերադարձնել գումարը** (Yes uzum em veradartsnel gumary)
Common Items and Products
Being familiar with the names of common items and products can make your shopping experience more efficient:
1. **Bread** – **Հաց** (Hats)
2. **Milk** – **Կաթ** (Kat)
3. **Cheese** – **Պանիր** (Panir)
4. **Vegetables** – **Բանջարեղեն** (Banjareghen)
5. **Fruits** – **Մրգեր** (Mrger)
6. **Meat** – **Միս** (Mis)
7. **Fish** – **Ձուկ** (Dzook)
8. **Water** – **Ջուր** (Jur)
9. **Wine** – **Գինի** (Gini)
10. **Clothes** – **Հագուստ** (Hagust)
Conclusion
Mastering shopping and commerce phrases in Armenian will greatly enhance your ability to interact in everyday situations in Armenia. Not only will you be able to buy goods and services more easily, but you will also have more opportunities to practice and improve your language skills. Remember, language learning is not just about memorizing words and phrases; it’s about engaging with the culture and people in a meaningful way. So, the next time you find yourself in an Armenian market or store, don’t hesitate to use these phrases and immerse yourself in the experience.
Happy shopping! Or, as they say in Armenian, **”Բարի գնումներ”** (Bari gnumner)!
