Signification
To take advantage of someone's kindness.
Contexte culturel
Hospitality is sacred. However, there is a fine line between being a 'Hyur' (guest) and someone who 'sits on the head.' Armenians use this phrase to police social boundaries. In the capital, the phrase is often used more cynically regarding business and money, reflecting a faster-paced, more transactional environment. In Western Armenian (Lebanon/USA), the phrase remains common but may be used alongside 'Vzin nstel' (sitting on the neck) more frequently. In villages, this is often used regarding neighbors and the sharing of agricultural tools or labor.
Use the Perfect Tense
Most Armenians say 'նստել է' (has sat) because the exploitation is an ongoing state.
Watch your Tone
This can sound very aggressive if said directly to the person. Use it carefully.
Signification
To take advantage of someone's kindness.
Use the Perfect Tense
Most Armenians say 'նստել է' (has sat) because the exploitation is an ongoing state.
Watch your Tone
This can sound very aggressive if said directly to the person. Use it carefully.
The 'Jan' factor
Adding 'ջան' (dear) to the person's name can soften the blow, but not by much with this idiom!
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'head' and 'sit'.
Նա շատ բարի է, դրա համար բոլորը նրա ______ ______:
We need the dative 'գլխին' and the present plural 'նստում են' for a general statement.
Which sentence is an idiom meaning 'to take advantage'?
Choose the correct sentence:
The second option is the idiom. The first is literal, the third means 'Aram is smart'.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Your younger brother keeps asking you to do his homework.
He is taking advantage of your help.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesՆա շատ բարի է, դրա համար բոլորը նրա ______ ______:
We need the dative 'գլխին' and the present plural 'նստում են' for a general statement.
Choose the correct sentence:
The second option is the idiom. The first is literal, the third means 'Aram is smart'.
Your younger brother keeps asking you to do his homework.
He is taking advantage of your help.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsIt is informal and accusatory. It's not 'curse word' rude, but it's definitely a complaint.
No, it's too informal for a superior. Use 'ծանրաբեռնել' (to overwork) instead.
There isn't a direct opposite idiom, but 'հարգել սահմանները' (to respect boundaries) is the conceptual opposite.
Usually yes, but you could figuratively say a problem is 'sitting on your head' if it's constant and annoying.
Expressions liées
Երես տալ
builds onTo spoil someone.
Վզին նստել
synonymTo sit on the neck.
Գլխին ելնել
similarTo climb on the head.
Ձեռք մեկնել
contrastTo lend a hand.
Չափն անցնել
similarTo cross the limit.
