Greetings and politeness in Armenian
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the ten openers everything else builds on. Play the ten Armenian words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Armenian phrases in this lesson
- Բարևba-REV
- Hello
- Բարի լույսBA-ri LOOYCE
- Good morning
- Բարի երեկոBA-ri ye-re-KO
- Good evening
- Ցտեսությունtsuh-te-soo-TYOON
- Goodbye
- Հաջողha-JOGH
- See you
- Խնդրեմkhun-DREM
- Please
- Շնորհակալությունshno-ra-ka-loo-TYOON
- Thank you
- Չարժեchar-ZHE
- You're welcome
- Ներողությունne-ro-ghoo-TYOON
- Sorry
- Կներեքkne-REK
- Excuse me
- Ուրախ եմ ծանոթանալուoo-RAKH yem tsa-no-tha-NA-loo
- Nice to meet you
The everyday greeting for most situations. Slightly informal but widely accepted everywhere from shops to offices. Armenians often say it with a warm nod.
Literally "good light." Use it until around noon. Shopkeepers and neighbors will appreciate the effort and often respond with a smile and the same phrase back.
Said arriving anywhere in the evening. As a parting at night, "բարի գիշեր" (BA-ri gee-SHER), good night.
Literally "until we see each other." The Ց at the start is a sharp "ts" sound. For a quicker informal farewell, many Armenians simply say "Ծառայություն" or wave and say "Bye" in English.
The casual goodbye between friends, literally "success". Ցտեսություն (tsuh-te-su-TYUN) is the polite one.
Placed after a request to soften it politely. Because it is the same word as "you're welcome," context always makes the meaning clear. Mastering the Խ sound wins immediate respect.
The standard thank-you for everyday use. If the full word feels too long in the moment, some younger Armenians also accept "merci" borrowed from French, a legacy of the diaspora.
Literally "it's not worth it", the everyday reply to thanks. "Խնդրեմ" (khun-DREM) also works, but it already means please.
The real apology. For a small bump, "կներեք" (kne-REK) is enough.
Use this to get attention or to ask someone to let you pass. Literally "forgive me".
Literally "I am happy to get acquainted." It is a warm and formal phrase appropriate at any introduction. A handshake accompanies it in business or formal social contexts.