Armenia has its own unique alphabet, created by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 AD, and the Armenian language has no close relatives. While English is common enough in Yerevan’s restaurants and hotels, venturing beyond the capital means relying on basic Armenian or Russian. Even a handful of phrases will transform interactions - Armenians respond with genuine enthusiasm when visitors attempt their language.
Greetings and Basics
| English | Armenian | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Barev | ba-REV |
| Good morning | Bari luys | ba-ri LUYS |
| Goodbye | Tstesutyun | ts-te-su-TYUN |
| Please | Khndrem | khun-DREM |
| Thank you | Shnorhakalutyun | shnor-ha-ka-lu-TYUN |
| Yes | Ayo | ah-YO |
| No | Voch | VOCH |
| Excuse me | Neretseq | ne-re-TSEQ |
| Sorry | Neroghutyn | ne-ro-ghu-TYUN |
| How are you? | Inchpes eq? | inch-PES EQ |
Getting Around
| English | Armenian | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Where is…? | Vorteq e…? | vor-TEQ EH |
| How much is it? | Inchqan e? | inch-KAN EH |
| Left | Dzakh | DZAKH |
| Right | Ach | ACH |
| Stop here | Aysteq kanq | ay-STEQ KANK |
| Taxi | Taksi | TAK-si |
| Bus station | Avtokayan | av-to-ka-YAN |
| Airport | Odanavakayan | o-da-na-va-ka-YAN |
| Train station | Kayaran | ka-ya-RAN |
| I don’t understand | Yes chem haskanum | yes chem has-ka-NUM |
Food and Dining
| English | Armenian | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| The menu, please | Menyu, khndrem | me-NYU khun-DREM |
| The bill, please | Hashivuh, khndrem | ha-shi-VUH khun-DREM |
| Water | Jur | JOOR |
| Delicious | Hameg | ha-MEG |
| Not spicy | Hamaemunqov ch’e | ha-me-MUN-kov CHE |
| I am vegetarian | Yes busaker em | yes bu-sa-KER EM |
| Bread | Hats | HATS |
| Coffee | Surj | SURJ |
| Beer | Garejur | ga-re-JOOR |
| Cheers! | Kenats! | ke-NATS |
Numbers
| Number | Armenian | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mek | MEK |
| 2 | Yerku | yer-KU |
| 3 | Yereq | ye-REK |
| 4 | Chors | CHORS |
| 5 | Hing | HING |
| 6 | Vets | VETS |
| 7 | Yot | YOT |
| 8 | Ut | OOT |
| 9 | Inu | i-NU |
| 10 | Tas | TAS |
Shopping and Markets
The Vernissage weekend market in Yerevan and bazaars in smaller towns are where these phrases earn their keep. Vendors rarely speak English, and attempting even one or two lines tends to produce better prices and warmer exchanges.
| English | Armenian | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| How much? | Inchqan e? | inch-KAN EH |
| Too expensive | Shat tard e | shat TARD EH |
| Do you have…? | Uneq…? | u-NEK |
| I’ll take it | Yes ays kanem | yes ays KA-nem |
| Can you do a discount? | Kagheq shat khanelu? | ka-GHEK shat kha-NEL-u |
Emergency Phrases
| English | Armenian | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Help! | Ognutyun! | og-nu-TYUN |
| Hospital | Hivandanots | hee-van-da-NOTS |
| Police | Vostikanutyun | vos-ti-ka-nu-TYUN |
| I need a doctor | Bzhshki kariq unem | bzhsh-KI ka-RIK u-NEM |
| Call an ambulance | Shitapoghutyun kancheq | shi-ta-po-ghu-TYUN kan-CHEQ |
A Word on the Armenian Script
The Armenian alphabet has 38 letters and reads left to right. Most travellers won’t learn to read it in a short visit, but recognising a handful of signs is genuinely practical. The letters Հ (H), Ե (Ye), Ռ (R), and Ն (N) appear on most road signs and metro stations - learning them helps you spot Yerevan (Երևան) on signage. Metro stations are also labelled in Latin script, but outside Yerevan that safety net disappears. A ten-minute look at the alphabet before you travel pays dividends in the regions.
When attempting Armenian, do not worry about perfecting every sound - Armenians understand the alphabet is unfamiliar to most visitors. The “gh” sound is a soft guttural, and “kh” is similar to the Scottish “ch” in “loch.” Speak slowly, smile, and you will find that even imperfect attempts open doors across the country. One cultural note: Armenians nod their head slightly upward to mean “no” and tilt it to the side for “yes,” which can initially confuse visitors expecting European-style gestures.
Put your new phrases to use on a Yerevan walking tour - local guides appreciate the effort and can correct pronunciation on the go.
See Also
- First Time in Armenia - practical orientation for new visitors
- Getting Around Armenia - transport where these phrases are most useful
- Armenian Food Guide - what you’ll be ordering with these dining phrases
- Is Armenia Safe? - practical safety context for your visit
Plan Your Trip
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