Language/Armenian/Grammar/Expressing-Politeness

Armenian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Expressing Politeness

Welcome to this lesson on Expressing Politeness in Armenian! Understanding how to convey politeness is essential in mastering any language, and Armenian is no exception. In Armenian culture, politeness and respect are deeply rooted in social interactions. Whether you’re greeting someone, making a request, or thanking someone, using polite expressions can significantly affect the quality of your communication.

In this lesson, we will explore the various ways to express politeness in Armenian. We will cover the following topics:

Importance of Politeness in Armenian

Politeness is not just about saying “please” or “thank you.” In Armenian culture, it reflects respect for others and an understanding of social hierarchy. Politeness can be expressed through specific phrases, verb forms, and even body language. As you learn these expressions, you’ll not only improve your language skills but also gain insight into Armenian social norms.

Basic Polite Expressions

Let’s start with some fundamental expressions that convey politeness in Armenian. Here are a few key phrases you’ll find useful:

Armenian	Pronunciation	English
բարև (barev)	[bɑˈɾɛv]	Hello
խնդրում եմ (khndrum yem)	[χənˈtɾum jɛm]	Please
շնորհակալ եմ (shnorhakal yem)	[ʃnɔɾhɑˈkɑl jɛm]	Thank you
ներիր (nerir)	[nɛˈɾiɾ]	Excuse me / Sorry
ի՞նչ կասես (inch kases)	[iʔnʧ kɑˈsɛs]	What do you say? (Can I ask you?)
ո՞վ է (vogh e)	[voʁ ɛ]	Who is it? (Polite inquiry)
թանկագին (t'ankagin)	[tʰɑŋkɑˈɡin]	Dear (used to address someone respectfully)
վերև (verev)	[vɛˈɾɛv]	Up (as in addressing someone respectfully)
կներես (k'neres)	[kʰnɛˈɾɛs]	I apologize
հարգելի (hargeli)	[hɑɾɡɛˈli]	Dear (formal)

As you can see, these expressions are simple yet powerful. They form the basis of polite conversation in Armenian.

Using “Please” and “Thank You”

The words please and thank you are crucial in expressing politeness. In Armenian, “խնդրում եմ” (khndrum yem) translates to “please,” while “շնորհակալ եմ” (shnorhakal yem) means “thank you.”

== Examples of Use:

1. When making a request:

• Խնդրում եմ, տուր ինձ այն գիրքը։

• Pronunciation: [kʰənˈtɾum jɛm, tuɾ indz aɪn ˈɡiɾkʰə]

• Translation: Please give me that book.

2. When receiving something:

• Շնորհակալ եմ, շատ օգտակար է։

• Pronunciation: [ʃnɔɾhɑˈkɑl jɛm, ʃɑt oɡtʰɑˈkɑɾ ɛ]

• Translation: Thank you, it is very helpful.

The Importance of Context

Politeness can vary depending on the context. For example, when addressing someone older or in a higher social position, you might choose more formal language.

== Example of Formal Address:

• Հարգելի պարոն (Hargeli paron) - Dear Sir

• Հարգելի տիկին (Hargeli tikin) - Dear Madam

Polite Requests

When making requests, it’s essential to word them politely. In Armenian, you can soften your requests by using the conditional form.

== Examples:

1. Would you please help me?

• Կարո՞ղ եք ինձ օգնել։

• Pronunciation: [kɑˈɾoʁ ɛkʰ indz oɡˈnɛl]

• Translation: Could you help me, please?

2. Could you pass the salt?

• Կարո՞ղ եք աղը փոխանցել։

• Pronunciation: [kɑˈɾoʁ ɛkʰ aʁə pʰoɾˈtʃel]

• Translation: Could you pass the salt?

Expressing Apologies

Apologies are also a critical aspect of politeness. In Armenian, you would typically say “ներիր” (nerir) or “կներես” (k'neres).

== Examples:

1. I’m sorry for being late.

• Ներիր, որ ուշացա։

• Pronunciation: [nɛˈɾiɾ, voɾ uʃɑˈtsɑ]

• Translation: I’m sorry for being late.

2. Excuse me for interrupting.

• Ներիր, որ խանգարեցի։

• Pronunciation: [nɛˈɾiɾ, voɾ χɑŋɡɑˈɾɛtsi]

• Translation: Excuse me for interrupting.

Expressing Gratitude

Expressing gratitude can go beyond just saying thank you. In Armenian culture, it’s common to elaborate on why you are thankful.

== Examples:

1. Thank you for your help!

• Շնորհակալ եմ ձեր օգնության համար։

• Pronunciation: [ʃnɔɾhɑˈkɑl jɛm dʒɛɾ oɡnʏˈtʰjan hɑˈmaɾ]

• Translation: Thank you for your help!

2. I really appreciate your kindness.

• Ինձ համար ձեր բարությունը շատ կարևոր է։

• Pronunciation: [indz hɑˈmaɾ dʒɛɾ bɑɾuˈtʰjun ʃɑt kɑˈɾɛvɔɾ ɛ]

• Translation: Your kindness is very important to me.

Exercises for Practice

Now that you’ve learned about expressing politeness, let’s put your knowledge to the test with some exercises.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following sentences with the appropriate polite expression.

1. _______, կարող եք ինձ օգնել: (Please)

2. _______, շատ օգտակար է: (Thank you)

3. _______, որ ուշացա: (Sorry)

4. _______, որ խանգարեցի: (Excuse me)

5. _______ պարոն, ես ձեզ ճանաչում եմ: (Dear Sir)

Answers:

1. Խնդրում եմ (Khndrum yem)

2. Շնորհակալ եմ (Shnorhakal yem)

3. Ներիր (Nerir)

4. Կներես (K'neres)

5. Հարգելի (Hargeli)

Exercise 2: Dialogue Practice

Create a short dialogue between two people using polite expressions.

Example:

• A: Բարև, հարգելի տիկին, ինչպես եք? (Hello, dear madam, how are you?)

• B: Բարև, շնորհակալ եմ, լավ եմ: (Hello, thank you, I am well.)

== Answers:

Students should create their dialogues using polite expressions learned in the lesson.

Exercise 3: Translation Task

Translate the following sentences into Armenian, using appropriate polite expressions.

1. Please pass the water.

2. Thank you for your time.

3. I apologize for the misunderstanding.

Answers:

1. Խնդրում եմ, ջուրը փոխանցեք: (Khndrum yem, jurə p'oxanʧeḳ)

2. Շնորհակալ եմ ձեր ժամանակի համար: (Shnorhakal yem dzeɾ jamanaki hamar)

3. Կներես, որ սխալվեցի: (K'neres, vor skhalveci)

Exercise 4: Matching Exercise

Match the Armenian phrases with their English translations.

A. Խնդրում եմ

B. Շնորհակալ եմ

C. Ներիր

D. Հարգելի

1. Please

2. Thank you

3. Excuse me

4. Dear

Answers:

A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4

Exercise 5: Role Play

In pairs, role-play a scenario where you ask for help at a store using polite phrases.

Example:

• Customer: Խնդրում եմ, որտեղ է այս գիրը? (Please, where is this item?)

• Shopkeeper: Շնորհակալ եմ, այստեղ է: (Thank you, it’s over here.)

== Answers:

Students should present their role plays in front of the class.

Conclusion

Mastering expressions of politeness is a key step in becoming fluent in Armenian. As you practice these phrases, you’ll not only be able to communicate more effectively but also connect on a deeper level with Armenian speakers. Remember, politeness is about respect and understanding, so use these expressions generously.

Table of Contents - Armenian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Alphabet and Pronunciation

• Armenian Alphabet
• Pronunciation Rules

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-20
• Telling Time

  ---

Basic Sentence Structure

• Subject-Verb-Object
• Yes/No Questions

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing Relationships

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Gender and Plurals
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Food and Dining

• Common Foods
• Eating Out

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Descriptive Adjectives
• Adverbs of Time, Manner, and Place

  ---

Armenian Traditions and Customs

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Music and Dance

Sources

• EASTERN ARMENIAN FOR THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING WORLD

Other Lessons

• Attributive Participle
• The Locative Case
• Past Progressive Tense
• Future Indicative Tense
• The Ablative Case
• The Verb to Have
• Simple Past
• Comma and Colon Usage
• Prepositions
• Adjective Endings