Significado
Stating impossibility.
Contexto cultural
Armenians often use 'Hnaravor che' to avoid saying a direct 'No', which can be seen as rude. It's a way of maintaining 'face'. In the capital, you'll hear the colloquial 'Hnaravor chi'. It's slightly less formal but used by everyone from students to shopkeepers. Western Armenian speakers (common in Lebanon, USA, France) might use 'Gareli che' more often, but they will perfectly understand 'Hnaravor che'. In Armenian business, 'Hnarավոր չէ' is often the start of a negotiation, not the end. It means 'not possible under these current terms'.
The 'Shock' Intonation
To express disbelief, stretch the last vowel: 'Hnaravor cheeee?' with a rising pitch.
Don't say 'Hnaravor voch'
Even though 'voch' means 'no', it is never used in this phrase. Stick to 'che'.
Significado
Stating impossibility.
The 'Shock' Intonation
To express disbelief, stretch the last vowel: 'Hnaravor cheeee?' with a rising pitch.
Don't say 'Hnaravor voch'
Even though 'voch' means 'no', it is never used in this phrase. Stick to 'che'.
Softening the Blow
Always add 'Ցավոք' (Tsavoq - unfortunately) before the phrase in formal settings to sound more polite.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank to say 'It is not possible today.'
Այսօր ________ չէ:
The phrase is 'Հնարավոր չէ'. 'Անհնար' would mean 'It is not impossible' (double negative) and 'Կարելի' means 'allowed'.
Which is the most polite way to decline a request you cannot fulfill?
Can you help me right now?
'Հնարավոր չէ' is polite because it blames the situation, not the person.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: A friend tells you they won the lottery.
In this context, it expresses shock and disbelief.
Complete the dialogue between a taxi driver and a passenger.
Passenger: Կարո՞ղ ենք հասնել Գյումրի 10 րոպեում: Driver: Ոչ, ________:
It is physically impossible to reach Gyumri from Yerevan in 10 minutes.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
When to say 'Hnaravor che'
Facts
- • Math
- • Physics
- • Rules
Refusals
- • Price
- • Time
- • Invitations
Surprise
- • Gossip
- • News
- • Miracles
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosԱյսօր ________ չէ:
The phrase is 'Հնարավոր չէ'. 'Անհնար' would mean 'It is not impossible' (double negative) and 'Կարելի' means 'allowed'.
Can you help me right now?
'Հնարավոր չէ' is polite because it blames the situation, not the person.
Situation: A friend tells you they won the lottery.
In this context, it expresses shock and disbelief.
Passenger: Կարո՞ղ ենք հասնել Գյումրի 10 րոպեում: Driver: Ոչ, ________:
It is physically impossible to reach Gyumri from Yerevan in 10 minutes.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
5 preguntasNo, it is actually one of the most polite ways to say no because it implies external circumstances are the cause.
You can't say 'He is hnaravor che'. You must say 'It is not possible for him to...'
'Anhnar e' is stronger and more formal, like 'impossible' vs 'not possible'.
Just remove the 'che' and say 'Հնարավոր է՞:' (Hnaravor e?)
Yes, it's very common. You can even just write 'Hnaravor chi' in Latin characters (Armlish).
Frases relacionadas
Անհնար է
synonymIt is impossible
Չի լինի
similarIt won't happen / It won't work
Կարելի է
contrastIt is possible / It is allowed
Բացառված է
specialized formIt's excluded / Out of the question
