Signification
Stating that something won't happen.
Contexte culturel
The phrase 'Երբեք չմոռանալ' (Never forget) is a cornerstone of Armenian national identity, specifically regarding the 1915 Genocide. In the diaspora, 'erbek' is often used to express the preservation of language: 'We will never lose our language'. Armenians are very hospitable. If you say 'I never eat X', they might try to convince you once, but 'erbek' is the firmest way to stop the insistence. There is a cultural caution about saying 'never' regarding future success, as it might 'scare away' good luck.
The Double Negative Rule
Always remember: Erbek + Verb with 'ch-' prefix. It's the golden rule of Armenian negation.
Don't use with 'Yet'
If you mean 'I haven't done it yet', use 'der' (դեռ), not 'erbek'.
Signification
Stating that something won't happen.
The Double Negative Rule
Always remember: Erbek + Verb with 'ch-' prefix. It's the golden rule of Armenian negation.
Don't use with 'Yet'
If you mean 'I haven't done it yet', use 'der' (դեռ), not 'erbek'.
One-word answer
In casual speech, you can just say 'Erbek!' to mean 'No way!' or 'Never!'
Solemnity
Be careful using 'erbek' in promises; Armenians take 'never' very seriously.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct negative form of the verb 'to be' (եմ).
Ես երբեք ուշացած ______:
Since the subject is 'Ես' (I), the negative verb must be 'չեմ'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct Armenian translation for 'He never eats fish.'
'Նա' requires 'չի' and 'երբեք' requires the negative prefix.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Դու սիրո՞ւմ ես այս ֆիլմը: B: Ո՛չ, ես ______ չեմ նայում սարսափ ֆիլմեր:
The context of 'Ո՛չ' and 'չեմ նայում' suggests 'never'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Match 'Երբեք մի՛ հանձնվիր' to its context.
It means 'Never give up'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Frequency in Armenian
Frequency
- • Միշտ (100%)
- • Հաճախ (70%)
- • Երբեմն (50%)
- • Երբեք (0%)
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesԵս երբեք ուշացած ______:
Since the subject is 'Ես' (I), the negative verb must be 'չեմ'.
Choose the correct Armenian translation for 'He never eats fish.'
'Նա' requires 'չի' and 'երբեք' requires the negative prefix.
A: Դու սիրո՞ւմ ես այս ֆիլմը: B: Ո՛չ, ես ______ չեմ նայում սարսափ ֆիլմեր:
The context of 'Ո՛չ' and 'չեմ նայում' suggests 'never'.
Match 'Երբեք մի՛ հանձնվիր' to its context.
It means 'Never give up'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, in standard Armenian, it must always be paired with a negative verb form.
No, for 'ever' you should use 'erbeve' (երբևէ).
It is neutral and can be used in any context.
Usually before the verb, but it can move for emphasis.
'Bnav' is much more formal and literary.
You say 'Erbek aylyevs' (երբեք այլևս).
Yes, you can have multiple negatives: 'I never say nothing' (Ես երբեք ոչինչ չեմ ասում).
Yes, it is identical in both Eastern and Western Armenian.
No, 'erbek' is an adverb and never changes its form.
Yes, that is its literal and figurative meaning.
It is pronounced like 'ye' in 'yes'.
Yes, 'hech' is often used in very casual Yerevan slang.
Expressions liées
երբևէ
similarever
բնավ
synonymnot at all / never
ոչ մի ժամանակ
synonymat no time
միշտ
contrastalways
երբեք այլևս
builds onnever again
