Slang

1. Ջան

   Jan

   Dear (affectionate address)

   Usage

   Attached after a name, as in «Ani jan» — Armenia's best-known term of warmth. No romantic implication, and usable with anyone of any age or gender

2. Ապրես

   Apres

   Thanks / well done

   Usage

   Literally "may you live" — it covers both thanks and praise. Natural with peers and younger people; with elders, «Shnorhakalutyun» is more respectful

3. Ցավդ տանեմ

   Tsavd tanem

   Let me take your pain

   Usage

   A deeply Armenian expression of affection, usually said by an older person to a younger one or to a guest. Fine to return to someone close, but too heavy for a stranger

4. Ապեր

   Aper

   Bro

   Usage

   A clipped form of yeghbayr, "brother". Only for male friends your own age — not for elders, women or formal settings

5. Ի՞նչ կա

   Inch ka?

   What's up?

   Usage

   Literally "what is there?" — a casual greeting for friends. Use «Inchpes ek?» with elders or staff. The Armenian question mark ՞ sits over the stressed vowel

6. Լավ ա

   Lav a

   It's fine / OK

   Usage

   The spoken form of «Lav e», with a for e. Natural with friends and peers; write and say e in formal settings

7. Հա

   Ha

   Yeah

   Usage

   The casual counterpart of ayo, "yes". Fine with friends and peers; use ayo in official settings

8. Չէ

   Che

   Nah

   Usage

   The casual counterpart of voch, "no". Fine with friends, but said flatly to staff it sounds curt — pair voch with shnorhakalutyun instead

9. Բան չկա

   Ban chka

   It's nothing / no problem

   Usage

   Literally "there is nothing" — a reply to an apology or a thank-you. Safe with anyone

10. Մերսի

    Mersi

    Thanks (casual)

    Usage

    A French loanword, extremely common in everyday speech. With elders or in formal settings, «Shnorhakalutyun» is safer

11. Վա՜յ

    Vay!

    Wow / oh

    Usage

    An exclamation for surprise, awe or dismay, and rude to no one. The ՜ mark is the Armenian exclamation point, written over the stressed vowel

12. Հաստատ

    Hastat

    For sure

    Usage

    A way of confirming something firmly. Safe with anyone

13. Էլի

    Eli

    Come on (softening particle)

    Usage

    Tacked onto the end of a sentence to plead or coax. Friends only — with an elder or staff it sounds childish

14. Չեղավ

    Cheghav

    That didn't work out

    Usage

    Literally "it did not become". For a plan or attempt that failed — say it about the situation, not about a person

15. Տենց

    Tents

    Like that / that's how it is

    Usage

    A spoken contraction of aydpes, "like that", and everywhere in Yerevan conversation. For friends and peers; write aydpes

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