Festivals & Events

1. Շնորհավոր Տարեմուտ!

   Shnorhavor Taremut!

   Happy New Year!

   Usage

   Greet someone for Armenian New Year (January 1)

   Grammar Note

   "Shnorhavor" is an adjective meaning "blessed/congratulatory." It forms the core of Armenian holiday greetings.

2. Ե՞րբ է սկսվում տոնը։

   Yerb e sksvum tony?

   When does the festival start?

   Usage

   Ask about the start of Vardavar water festival, Christmas (January 6), or any Armenian celebration

   Grammar Note

   Armenian definite articles are suffixed. "Ton" (festival) → "tony" (the festival) with the suffix "-y (ը)/-n."

3. Որտե՞ղ է կայանալու հիմնական տոնակատարությունը։

   Vortegh e kayanalu himnakan tonakatarutyuny?

   Where will the main celebration be held?

   Usage

   Ask where the main Independence Day ceremony or Vardavar water festival takes place in Yerevan

   Grammar Note

   Armenian places the question mark "՞" over the stressed vowel of the questioned word — a unique orthographic convention.

4. Կարո՞ղ եմ մասնակցել տոնախմբություններին։

   Karogh em masnaktsel tonakhmbutyunnerin?

   Can I join the celebrations?

   Usage

   Ask to join Vardavar water splashing or traditional Kochari circle dancing

   Grammar Note

   "Karogh em" means "I am able to / I can." "Karogh" (capable) + "em" (I am) forms the potential.

5. Ի՞նչ ավանդական ուտեստ են ուտում այս տոնի ժամանակ։

   Inch avandakan utest en utum ays toni zhamanak?

   What traditional food is eaten during this festival?

   Usage

   Ask about gata (sweet bread) for New Year, anoushabour (Noah's pudding), or Christmas pilaf

   Grammar Note

   Armenian progressive present uses verb root + "-um." "Ut" (eat) → "utum" (eating/eats habitually).

6. Ի՞նչ հագնել տոնին։

   Inch hagnel tonin?

   What should I wear to the festival?

   Usage

   Ask about traditional Armenian taraz costume or appropriate attire for celebrations

   Grammar Note

   This is a condensed question meaning "What to wear?" The infinitive "hagnel" stands alone in the question.

7. Կա՞ մուտքի վճար։

   Ka mutki vchar?

   Is there an entrance fee?

   Usage

   Ask about entry fees at Armenian festivals, concerts, or cultural events

   Grammar Note

   "Ka" is the Armenian existential "there is." Putting "՞" on the questioned word turns the sentence into a question.

8. Կցանկանայի տոնից մի հուշանվեր գնել։

   Ktsankanayi tonits mi hushanver gnel.

   I'd like to buy a souvenir from the festival.

   Usage

   Use when looking for Armenian khachkar stone carvings, carpets, or embroidered textiles

   Grammar Note

   "Ktsankanayi" is the conditional of "tsankanal" (to wish/desire), politely meaning "I would like."

9. Ո՞րն է այս տոնի ավանդական սովորույթը։

   Vorn e ays toni avandakan sovoruyty?

   What is the traditional custom of this festival?

   Usage

   Ask about Vardavar water festival customs, Trndez (St. Sarkis bonfire celebration), or Easter traditions

   Grammar Note

   "Vorn" is the definite nominative of the question word "vor" (which/what). Armenian adds articles to question words too.

10. Զարդարանքն ու մթնոլորտն անհավատալի գեղեցիկ են!

    Zardarankn u mtnolortn anhavatali geghetsik en!

    The decorations and atmosphere are incredibly beautiful!

    Usage

    Express admiration for New Year decorations or the vibrant atmosphere at Armenian festivals

    Grammar Note

    The suffix "-n" is the definite article. "Zardarankn" = "the decorations." Armenian has a postpositional article.

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