Armenian language: 30 essential phrases for travelers

· Last updated 2026-04-27

The Armenian language: a brief introduction

Armenian (Հայերեն, Hayeren) is an independent branch of the Indo-European language family — related distantly to Greek and Persian but not a member of any other branch. It is the sole official language of the Republic of Armenia and is spoken by approximately 6.7 million people in the country and an estimated 4–7 million more in the diaspora worldwide.

The alphabet

The Armenian script is one of the most visually distinctive writing systems in the world. It was invented in 405 AD by the monk Mesrop Mashtots, who created it specifically to translate the Bible into Armenian and to preserve Armenian Christian identity. The alphabet has 38 letters and is written left to right.

Seeing the Armenian script on street signs, menus, and monastery inscriptions is part of the travel experience. You will not need to learn to read it for a short visit, but recognising a few key signs (exit: ԵԼՔ yelk, metro: ՄԵՏՐՈ metro) is useful.

Eastern vs Western Armenian

There are two main dialects: Eastern Armenian, spoken in the Republic of Armenia; and Western Armenian, spoken by much of the diaspora (particularly descendants of Genocide survivors who settled in the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas). They differ in pronunciation and some vocabulary. The phrases in this guide are Eastern Armenian.

Language situation on the ground

• Under 30 in Yerevan: English generally functional, often excellent in hospitality
• 35 and over across Armenia: Russian is the more common second language
• Rural areas: Armenian only is common; Russian for older generations
• Tourists who know Russian: Will communicate easily with most Armenians over 35

Even a handful of Armenian words produces a disproportionately warm response. Armenians take genuine pride in their language and are touched when visitors attempt even a basic greeting.

The 30 essential phrases

Greetings and basic courtesy

1. Hello (informal)
Բարև — Barev (BA-rev)
The universal casual greeting. Use it everywhere, all day.

2. Hello (formal / to a group)
Բարև Ձեզ — Barev Dzez (BA-rev DZEZ)
More formal. Use with older people and in professional settings.

3. Goodbye
Ցտեսություն — Tstes-utun (ts-tes-oo-TUN)
The formal farewell. Bari gisher (bari GISH-er) = “Good evening / Good night.”

4. Thank you
Շնորհակալ եմ — Shnorhakal em (shnor-ha-KAL em)
The full phrase. In casual speech, Armenians often shorten it to mersi (borrowed from French), which is perfectly acceptable.

5. You’re welcome
Խնդրեմ — Khntrem (KHNT-rem)
Also means “please” — a dual-purpose word.

6. Please
Խնդրում եմ — Khntrum em (KHNTR-um em)
More formal version of “please.”

7. Excuse me / Sorry
Կներեք — Knerek (kn-YERK)
Use when bumping into someone or getting someone’s attention.

8. Yes
Այո — Ayo (a-YO)

9. No
Ոչ — Voch (voch — rhymes with “notch”)

10. I don’t understand
Չեմ հասկանում — Chem haskanum (chem has-KA-num)
Pair this with a smile and usually someone nearby will step in.

Practical phrases

11. How much does it cost?
Ինչ արժի? — Inch arzhi? (inch ar-ZHEE)
The essential shopping and taxi phrase.

12. Where is…?
Որտե՞ղ է…? — Vorteg e…? (vor-TEG eh)
Example: Vorteg e Gagik metroyi kayanakum? = Where is the metro station?

13. Do you speak English?
Դուք անգլերեն գիտե՞ք? — Duk angleren gitek? (dook an-gle-REN gi-TEK)

14. I need help
Ես օգնության կարիք ունեմ — Yes ognutyun karik unem (yes og-NOOT-yun ka-RIK oo-NEM)

15. Can you show me on the map?
Ցույց տաք ինձ քարտեզի վրա? — Tsuyts tak indz kartezi vra?
Pointing at your phone map and saying “Kartez?” (kar-TEZ) also works universally.

16. How do I get to…?
Ինչպե՞ս հասնել…? — Inchpes hasnel…?

17. I would like…
Կուզenайи… — Kuzenar… (koo-ze-NAR)
Useful at restaurants. Point at the menu and say Kuzenar sranits = I would like this one.

18. The bill, please
Հաշիվ, խնդրեմ — Hashiv, khntrem (ha-SHEEV, khnt-REM)

Food and drink

19. Water
Ջուր — Jur (JOOR)
Mek bardak jur, khntrem = One glass of water, please.

20. Wine
Գինի — Gini (gi-NEE)
Armenia is one of the world’s oldest wine countries — this word gets a lot of use.

21. Coffee
Սուրճ — Soorj (soorj)
Armenian coffee (soorj) is thick, similar to Turkish coffee. Very good.

22. Bread
Հաց — Hats (hats)
Lavash (the Armenian flatbread) is everywhere and always good.

23. Delicious!
Շատ համեղ է! — Shat hameg e! (shat ha-MEG eh)
This will make any cook’s day. Use generously.

24. I’m vegetarian
Ես բուսակեր եմ — Yes boos-a-ker em
Armenian cuisine has excellent vegetarian dishes, but many traditional preparations include meat. This phrase helps clarify.

Getting around

25. Taxi
Տաքսի — Taksi (tak-SI)
Though most travellers use the GG Taxi app, this word works anywhere.

26. Bus station
Ավտոկայան — Avtokayan (av-to-ka-YAN)
Kilikia is Yerevan’s main bus station for marshrutka departures.

27. How far is it?
Ինչ հեռու է? — Inch heroo e? (inch he-ROO eh)

28. Left / Right / Straight ahead
Ձախ / Աջ / Ուղիղ — Dzakh / Aj / Ughigh (dzakh / aj / oo-GHIGH)

Emergency and health

29. Help!
Օգնություն! — Ognutyun! (og-NOOT-yun)

30. Call an ambulance
Կանչե՛ք շտապ օգնությո՛ւն — Kanchek shtap ognutyun (KAN-chek shtap og-NOOT-yun)
Emergency number in Armenia: 911 (police, fire, ambulance — unified).

Numbers 1–10

100: Հարյուր (haryur) 1,000: Հազար (hazar)

Useful expressions for specific Armenia travel scenarios

At a monastery

Armenian Apostolic monasteries are active religious sites. These phrases help you navigate respectfully:

• “Karm e nkarel?” — Is it allowed to photograph? (kar-EM eh nka-REL)
• “Ays ser nerkayats unenem” — I am respectfully visiting (approximate — a smile and modest dress communicate this better than language)
• When a monk or staff member greets you with “Bari galis” (BAR-ee GA-lis), they are saying “Welcome” — respond with “Mersi” (thank you)

Many monastery churches display small signs in Armenian asking for silence (lrutyun) and no photography with flash. Observe these without needing to ask.

At a restaurant

Beyond the phrases above, these dinner-table specifics are useful:

• “Menu-n ouneyke?” — Do you have a menu? (men-OO-n oo-NECK)
• “Ints khurtum ek?” — What do you recommend? (inch khoor-TOOM ek)
• “Baregamakan chi?” — Is it vegetarian? (bare-ga-ma-KAN chi)
• “Mek bajan gini, khntrem” — One glass of wine, please
• “Shat lav er” — It was very good (shat lav er)

At the market

The Vernissage and GUM market require negotiation skills:

• “Ays inch arzhey?” — How much is this? (ays inch ar-ZHEY)
• “Shat shad e” — It’s too expensive (shat shad eh)
• “Kuzenar zegchets” — I want a discount (koo-ze-NAR ze-GHETS)
• Negotiation is expected at Vernissage market souvenir stalls. Start at 50–60% of the asking price and meet in the middle.

In a taxi or marshrutka

• **“Ktam [destination]-?” — Will you go to [destination]?
• “Inch arzhey [destination]-?” — How much to [destination]?
• Always agree on the price before getting in if not using GG Taxi app
• “Kayq arek, khntrem” — Please stop here (ka-YEK A-rek, khnt-rem)

Where to learn more Armenian

If you want to go beyond these basics before your trip:

• Pimsleur Armenian: Good audio-based introduction (Eastern Armenian)
• Duolingo: Does not currently offer Armenian, but podcasts and YouTube channels by the Armenian language community are excellent
• Language classes in Yerevan: Several language schools offer short-course Armenian for diaspora visitors and tourists. See our guide to Armenian language classes in Yerevan for options.
• Google Translate: Download Armenian offline before your trip for offline text and voice translation. The camera translation feature reads Armenian script reasonably well for menus and signs.

The Armenian alphabet: recognising key signs

Even without learning to read Armenian, recognising a few frequently appearing signs saves confusion:

The script runs left to right and the letters are distinct enough from both Latin and Cyrillic that pattern recognition takes a few days but is manageable for essential signs.

A note on Russian

If you know any Russian, it will serve you well in Armenia — particularly with drivers, older shopkeepers, and in regions outside Yerevan. Russian-speaking travellers from Europe who find themselves in a mountain village with no English will almost always find a Russian speaker within reach.

For broader travel preparation, see our Armenia safety guide and currency guide.

Frequently asked questions about language in Armenia

Is Armenian similar to any other language I might know?

Armenian is an independent Indo-European branch. It is not mutually intelligible with any other language. Some loanwords came from Persian, Russian, Greek, and French. Mersi (thank you) is from French. Bari (good, fine) has parallels in Greek. But essentially it stands alone.

Will I be able to read any signs in Armenia?

Most major road signs in Armenia include transliteration into Latin characters alongside the Armenian script. Metro station signs in Yerevan include both scripts. Restaurant menus in tourist-facing establishments almost always have an English translation. However, at village-level guesthouses and rural transport stops, Armenian script is often all you get.

What’s the difference between “barev” and “barev dzez”?

Barev is informal — appropriate for people your age or younger, in casual settings. Barev dzez is the formal or plural version — use it for older people, formal situations, or when addressing a group. The distinction is similar to the French tu vs. vous.

Is there a polite way to get someone’s attention?

Knerek (excuse me) is the standard attention-getter. In informal settings, a direct Barev! works equally well. Armenians are generally very approachable.

How do Armenians feel about visitors trying to speak Armenian?

Enthusiastically positive, almost without exception. Even butchering the pronunciation of shnorhakal em (thank you) produces smiles. Armenia is a country with a strong cultural identity built partly around its unique language and alphabet, and foreign visitors who acknowledge this earn immediate goodwill.