Language/Armenian/Grammar/How-to-Use-Be
Hi Armenian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will focus on how to use the verb "to be" in Armenian. Understanding how to use this verb is crucial for building basic sentences and mastering Armenian grammar. We will go over the different forms of the verb, patterns of usage, and provide cultural context so that you can fully understand how to use "be."
Once you've mastered this lesson, take a look at these related pages: The Dative and Accusative Cases & The Future Perfect Tense.
What is the Verb "To Be"?[edit | edit source]
The verb "to be" is one of the most commonly used verbs in English and Armenian. It is used to indicate a state of being or possession. In Armenian, the verb "to be" is translated to the word "լինել" (linel).
How to Use "To Be" in Armenian[edit | edit source]
The Armenian language has three basic forms of the verb "to be":
- Past Tense - եմ (em)
- Present Tense - եմ (em)
- Future Tense - կլինեմ (klinem)
Present Tense[edit | edit source]
The present tense form of "to be" is used in the following examples:
| Armenian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ես (es) | ehs | you are |
| եսք (esq) | esk | you all are |
| է (e) | eh | he/she/it is |
| ենք (enk) | enk | we are |
| եք (ek) | ek | you all are |
| են (en) | en | they are |
Example Dialogues[edit | edit source]
- Person 1: իմ մայրը էր գնում: (im mayry er gnoum) (My mom was walking.)
- Person 2:ինչ եք անում? (inch ek anoum) (What are you doing?)
- Person 1: երբեք վազում եմ: (erbeq vazoum em) (Sometimes I run.)
Past Tense[edit | edit source]
The past tense form of "to be" is used with the auxiliary verb եմ (em) at the beginning of the sentence. Here are the different forms of the past tense:
| Armenian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| էի (ei) | ei | I was |
| էիր (eir) | eyr | you were |
| էր (er) | er | he/she/it was |
| էինք (eink) | eink | we were |
| էիք (eik) | eik | you all were |
| էին (ein) | ein | they were |
Example Dialogues[edit | edit source]
- Person 1: երկու օր անում էի կուտակել: (erku or anoum ei kutakel) (I was drinking for two days.)
- Person 2: Ինչու՞ եք անում այս ժամանակ: (Inchuu ek anum ays zhamanak?) (What were you doing at this time?)
- Person 1: Ունենք գրականություն, որը արդեն էլ բաց էր: (Unenk grakanut’yun, vor’e arent’ el bac’ er) (We had an open book.)
Future Tense[edit | edit source]
The future tense form of "to be" is used to indicate future states or actions. Here are the different forms of the future tense:
| Armenian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| կլինեմ (klinem) | klinem | I will be |
| կլինես (klines) | klines | you will be |
| կլինի (klini) | klini | he/she/it will be |
| կլինենք (klinenk) | klinenk | we will be |
| կլինեք (klineq) | klineq | you all will be |
| կլինեն (klinen) | klinen | they will be |
Example Dialogues[edit | edit source]
- Person 1: Մուտքագրում եմ մեկ օր կլինեմ բարի մանրամասներով: (Mut’kagrum em mek or klinem bari manramasnerov) (I will be entering with good details for one day.)
- Person 2: Ինչպե՞ս փորձարկեք դա: (Inchpes porzarkek’ da?) (How will you test it?)
- Person 1: Չէ՞, ես արդեն հանդիսացել եմ: (Che, es areden handistats’ets’ em) (No, I have already been there.)
Cultural Context[edit | edit source]
Armenian is an important language spoken in countries such as Armenia, Georgia, Russia, and the United States. Armenia has a rich cultural heritage that spans thousands of years, dating back to ancient times. The country is famous for its beautiful landscapes, ancient architecture, and its delicious cuisine.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
To summarize, in Armenian, the verb "to be" is translated to the word "լինել" (linel) and has three basic forms: past tense, present tense, and future tense. Understanding how to use the verb "to be" is crucial for building basic sentences and mastering Armenian grammar. To improve your Armenian Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Now that you've completed this lesson, don't stop learning! Check out these related topics: Indefinite Article & Attributive Participle.
Videos[edit | edit source]
Verb: Auxiliary verbs in Armenian - How to learn Armenian grammar ...[edit | edit source]
How the punctuation looks like in the Armenian language - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Adverbs
- The Instrumental Case
- Negation
- Adjectives
- Questions
- Demonstrative pronouns
- This, That and the Other One
- The Past Perfect Tense
- Indefinite Article
- The Future Perfect Tense
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Armenian Grammar - How to Use "Be"
- Armenian/Grammar - Wikibooks, open books for an open world
- Armenian language - Wikipedia