Language/Armenian/Grammar/Conditional-Sentences
As an Armenian language teacher with 20 years of experience, I am excited to introduce the topic of conditional sentences in Armenian language. This lesson is part of the "Complete 0 to A1 Armenian Course" and is designed for beginner students who want to improve their Armenian sentence structure.
Conditional sentences are used to express hypothetical scenarios or conditions, and their outcome or consequence. There are four types of conditional sentences in Armenian:
1. First Conditional Sentences 2. Second Conditional Sentences 3. Third Conditional Sentences 4. Mixed Conditional Sentences
Each type of conditional sentence has a specific structure and meaning. In this lesson, we will explore each type of conditional sentence, and how to form and use them in Armenian.
First Conditional Sentences
First conditional sentences express a real possibility or event in the future. They are formed by using the present simple tense in the 'if' clause and the future simple tense in the main clause. The word 'if' is translated into Armenian as 'եթե'.
Here's an example:
| Armenian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Եթե սեղմես այս կոճակը | Yeteh segmes asa kochakeh | If you press this button |
| այն ծանր-արդյունավետ է | ayn tsanr-ardyounavet eh | it will be helpful and smart |
In the above example, the first clause ('if you press this button') is in the present simple tense (սեղմես), and the second clause ('it will be helpful and smart') is in the future simple tense (է).
Second Conditional Sentences
Second conditional sentences express an unreal possibility or event in the present or future. They are formed by using the past simple tense in the 'if' clause and the conditional tense in the main clause. The word 'if' is translated in Armenian as 'եթե'.
Here's an example:
| Armenian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Եթե ունենաք ժամ, | Yeteh ounenak zhham | If you had time, |
| կարող եք մոտենալ իմ տուն | karogh ek motenanal im tun | you could visit my house |
In the above example, the first clause ('if you had time') is in the past simple tense (ունենաք), and the second clause ('you could visit my house') is in the conditional tense (կարող եք).
Third Conditional Sentences
Third conditional sentences express an unreal possibility or event in the past. They are formed by using the past perfect tense in the 'if' clause and the conditional perfect tense in the main clause. The word 'if' is translated in Armenian as 'եթե'.
Here's an example:
| Armenian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Եթե ունենաք գնալու ժամանակ, | Yeteh ounenak gnalou zhamanak | If you had gone on time, |
| չէիք ստացել կոշիկ | cheyk sdatsek koshik | you wouldn't have missed the train |
In the above example, the first clause ('if you had gone on time') is in the past perfect tense (ունենաք), and the second clause ('you wouldn't have missed the train') is in the perfect conditional tense (չէիք ստացել).
Mixed Conditional Sentences
Mixed conditional sentences combine the elements of second and third conditional sentences. They express a hypothetical scenario, with the condition being in the past, and the result affecting the present or future. They are formed by using the past perfect tense in the 'if' clause and the conditional tense in the main clause. The word 'if' is translated in Armenian as 'եթե'.
Here's an example:
| Armenian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Եթե տնային պահը ոչ միայն տուր չի պահանջվում, | Yeteh tnayin pahy voch miayin tour chi pahanjvoum | If householding did not require money only, |
| ապա այդ աշխատանքի ծավալը կարելիս էր մեծանալ | apa ayd ashkhatanki tsaval eh karlis er mehanal | the volume of those works could have been increased. |
In the above example, the first clause ('if householding did not require money only') is in the past perfect tense (տնային), and the second clause ('the volume of those works could have been increased') is in the conditional tense (կարելիս էր մեծանալ).
I hope this lesson has provided a clear understanding of the different types of conditional sentences in Armenian, and how to form and use them. With practice and patience, you will soon be able to use conditional sentences fluently in your Armenian conversations.
- Practice forming conditional sentences in Armenian
- Ask a native Armenian speaker to check your work
- Try using conditional sentences in real-life situations