About Armenia

Armenian is an old and unique language. With 39 letters in the alphabet it is a very rich language. Originally invented by Mesrop Mashtots back in the 5th century (known as the Golden Century for this same purpose), it was not only intended as an alphabet for language use, but cleverly also a numerical system as well as a prayer!
Ok, so the language is not the easiest but to help our guests travel around Armenia with a bit more confidence we have a very short selection of phrases to help.
Note that in Yerevan you will find most people can speak English (and sometimes other languages). Outside of Yerevan apart from Armenian, Russian is also acceptable. If you know Russian, even if its only a few words – use it! Even some of the common everyday words, the Russian is more commonly used rather than the pure Armenian word. Even some French and even Farsi words are used in conversation as well. So be brave and throw them into conversation it might help.
Basic Conversation
English | Armenian |
Hello | Barev |
How are you? | Vonts es? |
Thank you | Shnorhakal (often “merci” is acceptable) |
Please | Khndrem |
Yes | Ayo (colloquially “ha”) |
No | Voch (colloquially “che”) |
What is the time? | Djame kanisen eh? |
How much is this? | Es inch arje? |
What is your name? | Anooned inch eh? |
Where is? | Oor eh? |
Good Morning | Bari looys |
Good Night | Bari Gisher |
English | Armenian |
Bank | Baank |
Currency Exchange | Drami phokhanakoom |
Pharmacy | Apteka (Russian) or deghatoon |
Grocery Store | Mterayin |
Shop | Khanoot |
Bus Station | Avtokayan |
Train Station | kayaran |
Bus | Avtoboos |
Hospital | Hivandanotz |
Doctor | Bjishk |
Market | Bazar or shuka |
Toilet | Zugaran |
City Centre | Kentron |
Closed | Pak |
Open | Batz |
Church | Yekeghetsi |
Castle | Berd |
Lake | Lij |
Camera | Aparat (Russian word) |
Numbers
English | Armenian |
1 | Mek |
2 | Yerku |
3 | Yerek |
4 | Chors |
5 | Hing |
6 | Vetz |
7 | Yot |
8 | Oot |
9 | Ine |
10 | Tas |
20 | Ksan |
30 | Yeresoon |
40 | Karasoon |
50 | Hisoon |
60 | Vatsoon |
70 | Yotanasoon |
80 | Ootsoon |
90 | Inesoon |
100 | Haryur |
1000 | Hazar |
2000 | Yerku hazar |
100,000 | Haryur Hazar |
1,000,000 | Mek Milyon |
Days of the Week
English | Armenian |
Monday | Yerkushabti |
Tuesday | Yerekshabti |
Wednesday | Chorekshabti |
Thursday | Hingshabti |
Friday | Oorbat |
Saturday | Shabat |
Sunday | Kiraki |
Plan your trip around the holidays and national events to make your experience even richer.
The table below summarises all significant dates for Armenia.
Date | Celebration | Details |
Dec.31, Jan. 1&2 | New Year | Major National public holiday |
January 6 | Soorb Tsnund (Christmas equivalent) | As per the Armenian Apostolic Church |
March 8 | Women’s Day | All females get a mention! |
April 7 | Mother’s & Beauty Day | What can we say females like the attention! |
April 24 | Genocide Memorial Day | Entire Day is dedicated to paying respect and laying flowers at the Genocide memorial at Tzitzernakaberd in Yerevan. |
May 1 | Labour Day | Public holiday across many European countries |
May 9 | Victory and Peace Day | Soviet era memorial for war veterans |
May 28 | Restoration of Armenian Statehood Day | Dating back to 1918 |
July 5 | Constitution Day | Public holiday |
A Sunday in July(varies by year) | Vardavar Festival | Fun, fun, fun! Don’t leave home without your wet weather gear! It’s a water splashing day. Everyone is guaranteed to get wet! Great way to cool down on a hot summers day 🙂 |
September 21 | Independence Day | Dating back to 1991 |
December 7 | Earthquake Victims Memorial Day | Dating back to 1988 |
A short point form run down on some of the key events in Armenian history.
What language is spoken in Armenia? Have you ever heard an Armenian speech? What does the national flag look like? What is the capital city? Here’s a few facts to give you a little background on the ancient and beautiful country of Armenia.
Official Name: | Republic of Armenia |
Language: | Armenian |
National Flag: | ![]() |
Currency: | Armenian Dram (AMD) |
Head of State: | President of RA |
Area: | 29,800 sq km |
Capital: | Yerevan |
Population: | approximately 3.2 million |
States/Province | 11 States (Marz) including Yerevan |
For more general information visit: Armenia (Wiki)
The state religion is Christianity, adopted in 301 AD becoming the first officially Christian state. Armenian alphabet was developed around 405 AD by Mesrop Mashtots, an Armenian linguist and ecclesiastical leader. It originally had 36 letters, but now has 39. Seems quite a lot? Mer Hayrenik which is translated as “Our Fatherland’, is the national anthem of the Republic of Armenia.