Language/Armenian/Grammar/Present-Tense

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ArmenianGrammar0 to A1 Course → Verbs and Tenses → Present Tense

Introduction[edit | edit source]

In this lesson, we will explore the present tense in Armenian. The present tense is an essential aspect of the Armenian language, as it allows us to express actions happening in the current moment or describe habitual actions. Mastering the present tense will greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Armenian. Throughout this lesson, we will cover the formation of regular and irregular verb conjugations in the present tense and provide numerous examples to illustrate each point. Additionally, we will delve into the cultural aspects of the present tense, exploring any regional variations in its usage and understanding. So let's dive in and discover the beauty of the present tense in Armenian!

Regular Verb Conjugation in the Present Tense[edit | edit source]

To form the present tense for regular verbs in Armenian, we follow a straightforward pattern. Let's take a look at the process step by step:

1. Identify the verb stem: The verb stem is the base form of the verb without any suffixes or endings. For example, the verb "to speak" has the stem "խոսե- (khose-)". 2. Add the appropriate suffix for the subject: Armenian verbs have different suffixes depending on the subject of the sentence. Here are the subject suffixes for the present tense:

Person Suffix
I -մ (-m)
You (singular) -ս (-s)
He/She/It -ը (-ë)
We -ենք (-enk')
You (plural) -եք (-ek')
They -են (-en)

3. Attach the subject suffix to the verb stem: Combine the verb stem with the appropriate subject suffix. For example, to say "I speak," we would add the suffix "-մ" to the verb stem "խոսե-," resulting in "խոսում եմ (khosum em)".

Now let's see some examples of regular verb conjugations in the present tense:

Examples[edit | edit source]

Armenian Pronunciation English
համարում եմ (hamarum em) hah-mah-room em I understand
կարող եմ (karogh em) kah-rogh em I can
գրում եմ (grum em) groom em I write
կարող ես (karogh es) kah-rogh es You can
գրում ես (grum es) groom es You write
դուստր է (dust'r e) doos-tir eh He/She/It reads
կարող ենք (karogh enk') kah-rogh enk' We can
գրում ենք (grum enk') groom enk' We write
դուստրներ են (dust'rner en) doos-tir-ner en They read

Irregular Verb Conjugation in the Present Tense[edit | edit source]

While regular verb conjugations in the present tense follow a predictable pattern, some verbs in Armenian are irregular and do not conform to this pattern. Irregular verbs have unique conjugations that must be memorized. Let's look at a few examples of irregular verb conjugations in the present tense:

Examples[edit | edit source]

Armenian Pronunciation English
եմ (em) em I am
ես (es) es You are
է (e) eh He/She/It is
ենք (enk') enk' We are
եք (ek') ek' You are
են (en) en They are
գնամ (gnam) gnahm I go
եմ գնում (em gnum) em gnoom I am going
ես գնում (es gnum) es gnoom You are going
է գնում (e gnum) eh gnoom He/She/It is going

As you can see, irregular verbs have unique conjugations that may not follow the regular pattern. It is important to memorize these forms and practice using them in various contexts.

Cultural Insight: Present Tense in Armenian Literature[edit | edit source]

The present tense plays a significant role in Armenian literature, showcasing the vibrancy and immediacy of the language. Many Armenian authors and poets have utilized the present tense to evoke emotions and immerse readers in the present moment. One notable example is the renowned Armenian poet Paruyr Sevak, who often employed the present tense to convey a sense of intimacy and urgency in his poetry. By exploring Armenian literature, you can gain a deeper appreciation for the power and beauty of the present tense in the Armenian language.

Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now it's time to put your knowledge of the present tense into practice! Complete the following exercises and check your answers below:

Exercise 1: Conjugate the verbs in the present tense according to the given subjects.

1. խոսել (khosel) - to speak - I: խոսում եմ (khosum em) - You (singular): խոսում ես (khosum es) - He/She/It: խոսում է (khosum eh) - We: խոսում ենք (khosum enk') - You (plural): խոսում ենք (khosum enk') - They: խոսում են (khosum en)

2. գրել (grel) - to write - I: գրում եմ (groom em) - You (singular): գրում ես (groom es) - He/She/It: գրում է (groom eh) - We: գրում ենք (groom enk') - You (plural): գրում ենք (groom enk') - They: գրում են (groom en)

Exercise 2: Translate the following sentences into Armenian using the present tense.

1. I understand. - համարում եմ (hamarum em)

2. They read. - դուստրներ են (dust'rner en)

3. We can. - կարող ենք (karogh enk')

4. You (singular) write. - գրում ես (groom es)

Solution[edit | edit source]

Exercise 1:

1. խոսել (khosel) - to speak - I: խոսում եմ (khosum em) - You (singular): խոսում ես (khosum es) - He/She/It: խոսում է (khosum eh) - We: խոսում ենք (khosum enk') - You (plural): խոսում ենք (khosum enk') - They: խոսում են (khosum en)

2. գրել (grel) - to write - I: գրում եմ (groom em) - You (singular): գրում ես (groom es) - He/She/It: գրում է (groom eh) - We: գրում ենք (groom enk') - You (plural): գրում ենք (groom enk') - They: գրում են (groom en)

Exercise 2:

1. I understand. - համարում եմ (hamarum em)

2. They read. - դուստրներ են (dust'rner en)

3. We can. - կարող ենք (karogh enk')

4. You (singular) write. - գրում ես (groom es)

Congratulations on completing the practice exercises! Keep practicing to solidify your understanding of the present tense in Armenian.

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

In this lesson, we explored the present tense in Armenian, both regular and irregular verb conjugations. We learned how to form the present tense for regular verbs by identifying the verb stem and adding subject-specific suffixes. Additionally, we delved into the cultural significance of the present tense in Armenian literature. Remember to practice using the present tense in various contexts to reinforce your understanding. In the next lesson, we will delve into the past tense in Armenian. Keep up the great work!

Table of Contents - Armenian Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Greetings and Introductions


Alphabet and Pronunciation


Numbers and Time


Basic Sentence Structure


Family and Relationships


Nouns and Pronouns


Food and Dining


Verbs and Tenses


Travel and Transportation


Adjectives and Adverbs


Armenian Traditions and Customs

Videos[edit | edit source]

Western Armenian Present Tense Explained - Learn Armenian ...[edit | edit source]


Sources[edit | edit source]


Other Lessons[edit | edit source]



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