Signification
Someone who brings luck or does things easily.
Contexte culturel
Shopkeepers often give a small discount to the first customer if they believe that person has a 'light hand,' as it guarantees a good day of sales. The 'First Foot' (the first person to enter the house after midnight) is chosen carefully. Families prefer someone with a 'light hand' and 'light foot' to ensure a prosperous year. In Armenia, patients often ask around for a doctor with a 'light hand' (թեթև ձեռքով բժիշկ) before scheduling surgery or dental work. In backgammon (Nardi), a very popular game in Armenia, if someone rolls good numbers for their partner, they are said to have a 'light hand.'
The Compliment Rule
Always use this when someone helps you with something and it goes well. It's the most 'Armenian' way to say thank you.
Don't use for weight
If you are helping someone carry a suitcase, don't say 'ձեռքդ թեթև է.' Say 'ճամպրուկը թեթև է' (the suitcase is light).
Signification
Someone who brings luck or does things easily.
The Compliment Rule
Always use this when someone helps you with something and it goes well. It's the most 'Armenian' way to say thank you.
Don't use for weight
If you are helping someone carry a suitcase, don't say 'ձեռքդ թեթև է.' Say 'ճամպրուկը թեթև է' (the suitcase is light).
Market Etiquette
If you are the first customer in an Armenian shop, mentioning your 'light hand' will make the shopkeeper very happy.
Possessive Suffixes
Remember: ՁեռքՍ (my), ՁեռքԴ (your), ՁեռքԸ (his/her).
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct possessive form of 'ձեռք' for 'you' (informal).
Արի դու ընտրիր տոմսը, քո _____ թեթև է:
Since the sentence uses 'քո' (your), the suffix must be '-դ'.
Match the situation to the meaning of 'ձեռքը թեթև'.
A nurse gives an injection and it doesn't hurt.
In medical contexts, it refers to the lack of pain.
Which is the opposite of 'ձեռքը թեթև'?
Իմ ձեռքը թեթև չէ, իմ ձեռքը _____ է:
The antonym of 'light' (թեթև) in this idiom is 'heavy' (ծանր).
Complete the dialogue.
Վաճառող. Դուք այսօր առաջին գնորդն եք: Գնորդ. Հուսով եմ _____:
The buyer is wishing the shopkeeper luck for the day.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Where to use 'Ձեռքը թեթև'
Medical
- • Dentists
- • Nurses
- • Surgeons
Business
- • First Customer
- • New Partner
- • Lottery
Nature
- • Planting
- • Gardening
- • Pets
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesԱրի դու ընտրիր տոմսը, քո _____ թեթև է:
Since the sentence uses 'քո' (your), the suffix must be '-դ'.
A nurse gives an injection and it doesn't hurt.
In medical contexts, it refers to the lack of pain.
Իմ ձեռքը թեթև չէ, իմ ձեռքը _____ է:
The antonym of 'light' (թեթև) in this idiom is 'heavy' (ծանր).
Վաճառող. Դուք այսօր առաջին գնորդն եք: Գնորդ. Հուսով եմ _____:
The buyer is wishing the shopkeeper luck for the day.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes! If the food is delicious and the person felt good after eating it, you can say the chef has a light hand.
No, it's more of a cultural superstition/idiom than a religious statement, though it relates to the concept of blessings.
Never. It is always a positive attribute.
You say 'Հուսով եմ ձեռքս թեթև կլինի' (Husov em dzerks tetev klini).
Yes, it is common in both dialects.
Yes, if their writing style is easy to read and successful, though it's less common than for physical tasks.
That is the informal/colloquial version (using 'ա' instead of 'է'). It's very common in Yerevan.
Technically yes (ձեռքներդ թեթև են), but the singular is much more idiomatic.
Not necessarily. It means they are effective and lucky.
Yes, especially if they are the first to do something in the family.
Expressions liées
Ձեռքը ծանր
contrastTo have a heavy hand (bring bad luck).
Աչքը թեթև
similarTo have a 'light eye' (not envious).
Ոտքը թեթև
similarTo have a light foot.
Ձեռքը բաց
builds onGenerous (open-handed).
Ձեռքը մաքուր
similarHonest (clean-handed).
