Language/Armenian/Grammar/Attributive-Participle

Armenian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Advanced Constructions → Attributive Participle

Introduction

In this lesson, we will explore the usage of the Attributive Participle in the Armenian language. The Attributive Participle is a verb form that functions as an adjective, providing additional information about a noun or pronoun. Understanding how to use the Attributive Participle correctly is essential for creating more complex and nuanced sentences in Armenian. We will start by discussing the formation and usage of the Attributive Participle, followed by a detailed exploration of its various forms and tenses. Throughout the lesson, we will provide numerous examples and exercises to help solidify your understanding of this grammatical construct.

Formation of the Attributive Participle

The Attributive Participle in Armenian is formed by adding the suffix "-ով" (-ov) to the stem of the verb. The stem is obtained by removing the infinitive ending "-լ" (-l) from the verb. Let's take a look at some examples:

Armenian	Pronunciation	English Translation
գրել (grel)	[ɡɾɛl]	to write
գրող (grogh)	[ɡɾɔʁ]	writing
ուսուցել (usutsel)	[usutsʰɛl]	to teach
ուսուցող (usutsogh)	[usutsʰɔʁ]	teaching
խոսել (khosel)	[χɔsɛl]	to talk
խօսող (khosogh)	[χɔsɔʁ]	talking

As you can see from the examples above, the Attributive Participle is formed by adding the suffix "-ով" (-ov) to the verb stem. Note that the final "լ" (-l) of the infinitive form is replaced by "ով" (-ov) in the Attributive Participle form.

Usage of the Attributive Participle

The Attributive Participle is used to modify nouns or pronouns, providing additional information about them. It can function as an adjective, describing the noun or pronoun in terms of action, state, or condition. Let's explore the different ways in which the Attributive Participle is used in Armenian:

Describing Actions

One of the main uses of the Attributive Participle is to describe actions. When used in this way, the Attributive Participle functions as an adjective that describes what the noun or pronoun is doing. Let's look at some examples:

• Խաղալ եմ անդամնալու: (Khagal em andamnaloo) - I am playing tennis.
• Անդամնալու եմ խաղում: (Andamnaloo em khaghoom) - I am playing as a member.

In these examples, the Attributive Participle "անդամնալու" (andamnaloo) and "խաղում" (khaghoom) describe the action of playing. The first example describes the subject (I) as someone who is playing tennis, while the second example describes the subject as a member who is playing.

Describing States or Conditions

The Attributive Participle can also be used to describe states or conditions of the noun or pronoun. In this case, it functions as an adjective that provides information about the current state or condition of the subject. Let's see some examples:

• Հույս ունեմ համակարգչի վրա մնացած պատճառով: (Huys unem hamarkhchi vra mnatsats parcanov) - I have hope because of the remaining battery of the computer.
• Դժվար է գտնել աշխարհում առաջարկներ ունենային ոտքերով: (Dzhvar e gtnel ashkharhum arrajarekner unenayin votkerov) - It is difficult to find opportunities with open eyes in the world.

In the first example, the Attributive Participle "մնացած" (mnatsats) describes the state of the battery as remaining. In the second example, the Attributive Participle "ունենային" (unenayin) describes the condition of the opportunities as open.

Expressing Time or Manner

The Attributive Participle can also be used to express time or manner. In these cases, it functions as an adjective that provides information about how or when an action is taking place. Let's look at some examples:

• Հեռանում եմ մեքենայի վրա վարելու: (Heranoom em mekenayi vra varelou) - I am driving on the car.
• Շուտով կմեծամասնեմ աշխարհի պատուհանները: (Shutov ketsamamen ashkharhi patuhaner) - Soon I will visit the halls of the world.

In the first example, the Attributive Participle "հեռանում" (heranoom) describes the manner of driving as being on a car. In the second example, the Attributive Participle "շուտով" (shutov) describes the time of the visit as soon.

Tenses of the Attributive Participle

The Attributive Participle in Armenian can be conjugated in different tenses to match the tense of the main verb or the noun or pronoun it modifies. Let's explore the different tenses of the Attributive Participle and their usage:

Present Tense

The Present Tense of the Attributive Participle is used to describe ongoing actions or conditions that are happening at the same time as the main verb. Let's see some examples:

• Գրող եմ գիրքը: (Grogh em girky) - I am reading the book.
• Ստուգող է պահելու: (Stugogh e pahelou) - He is checking.

In these examples, the Attributive Participle "գրող" (grogh) and "ստուգող" (stugogh) describe the ongoing actions of reading and checking, respectively.

Past Tense

The Past Tense of the Attributive Participle is used to describe actions or conditions that have already happened in the past. Let's look at some examples:

• Գրող էր գիրքը: (Grogh er girky) - He was writing the book.
• Մատնող էր դեղորային աղեղը: (Matnogh er deghorayin aghye) - She was painting the landscape.

In these examples, the Attributive Participle "գրող" (grogh) and "մատնող" (matnogh) describe the past actions of writing and painting, respectively.

Future Tense

The Future Tense of the Attributive Participle is used to describe actions or conditions that will happen in the future. Let's see some examples:

• Գրող կլինի գիրքը: (Grogh klini girky) - He will be writing the book.
• Ստուգող կլինի: (Stugogh klini) - She will be checking.

In these examples, the Attributive Participle "գրող" (grogh) and "ստուգող" (stugogh) describe the future actions of writing and checking, respectively.

Cultural Insights

The usage of the Attributive Participle in Armenian is deeply rooted in the language's rich cultural heritage. Throughout history, Armenian literature and poetry have extensively used the Attributive Participle to vividly describe actions, states, and conditions. Armenian writers and poets have mastered the art of using the Attributive Participle to create vivid and expressive descriptions, adding depth and beauty to their works. The Attributive Participle is also an integral part of Armenian folk songs and traditional storytelling, where it is often used to convey emotions and paint vivid pictures in the minds of the listeners.

Historically, the usage of the Attributive Participle in Armenian has been influenced by the language's contact with other languages and cultures. Over the centuries, Armenian has borrowed words and grammatical structures from various sources, including Persian, Arabic, Turkish, and Russian. These influences have enriched the language and added layers of complexity to its grammar, including the usage of the Attributive Participle. By understanding the cultural and historical context of the Attributive Participle, learners can gain a deeper appreciation for the language and its nuances.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have explored the formation, usage, and tenses of the Attributive Participle, let's practice what we have learned. Complete the following exercises by filling in the blanks with the appropriate form of the Attributive Participle. Solutions and explanations will be provided after each exercise.

Exercise 1: Complete the following sentences with the appropriate form of the Attributive Participle:

1. Գնող եմ գույքը: (Gnogh em guykky) - I am buying the house. 2. Կարող եմ տեսնել մեքենայի վրա նստած տղամարդկանցին: (Karogh em tesnel mekenayi vra nstatsats tghamardkantsin) - I can see the person sitting on the car. 3. Սրանք համարում են կանանց պատուհանները: (Srankh hamarou en kanants patuhanery) - These are the tables for the workers. 4. Սանիր եմ ուսուցում մաթեմատիկան: (Sanir em usutsoum matematikan) - I am teaching Sanir mathematics. 5. Ուսուցելու է մաթեմատիկայով: (Usutselou e matematikayov) - He is studying with mathematics.

Exercise 2: Translate the following sentences into Armenian:

1. She is reading a book. 2. We will be eating dinner. 3. They were walking in the park. 4. I can see the stars in the sky. 5. The flowers will be blooming in the garden.

Solutions and Explanations

Exercise 1: Complete the following sentences with the appropriate form of the Attributive Participle:

1. Գնող եմ գույքը: (Gnogh em guykky) - I am buying the house. 2. Կարող եմ տեսնել մեքենայի վրա նստած տղամարդկանցին: (Karogh em tesnel mekenayi vra nstatsats tghamardkantsin) - I can see the person sitting on the car. 3. Սրանք համարում են կանանց պատուհանները: (Srankh hamarou en kanants patuhanery) - These are the tables for the workers. 4. Սանիր եմ ուսուցում մաթեմատիկան: (Sanir em usutsoum matematikan) - I am teaching Sanir mathematics. 5. Ուսուցելու է մաթեմատիկայով: (Usutselou e matematikayov) - He is studying with mathematics.

Exercise 2: Translate the following sentences into Armenian:

1. She is reading a book. - Նա կարդալու է գիրք: (Na kardalou e girky) 2. We will be eating dinner. - Մենք կուտենանք երեկոյան: (Menk koutenank yerekoyan) 3. They were walking in the park. - Նրանք գնացին զբոսաշրջիկում: (Nrankh gnanatsin zbosashrjikum) 4. I can see the stars in the sky. - Ես կարող եմ տեսնել աստղերը երկիրում: (Yes karogh em tesnel astghery yerkiroum) 5. The flowers will be blooming in the garden. - Ձերները կծաղկեն այգում: (Dzyernery ktsaghken aygum)

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully learned about the Attributive Participle in the Armenian language. This grammatical construct plays a crucial role in describing actions, states, and conditions, allowing you to create more complex and nuanced sentences. By understanding the formation, usage, and tenses of the Attributive Participle, you can express yourself more effectively in Armenian and deepen your understanding of the language's cultural and historical context. Keep practicing and exploring the beauty of the Armenian language!

Table of Contents - Armenian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Alphabet and Pronunciation

• Armenian Alphabet
• Pronunciation Rules

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-20
• Telling Time

  ---

Basic Sentence Structure

• Subject-Verb-Object
• Yes/No Questions

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing Relationships

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Gender and Plurals
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Food and Dining

• Common Foods
• Eating Out

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Descriptive Adjectives
• Adverbs of Time, Manner, and Place

  ---

Armenian Traditions and Customs

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Music and Dance

Sources

• modern-eastern-armenian.pdf

Other Lessons

• Give your Opinion
• How to Use Have
• Definite Pronouns
• Verb Declension
• The Genitive Case
• Adjective Endings
• Expressing Politeness
• Comma and Colon Usage
• Future Indicative Tense
• The Past Perfect Tense