Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The Armenian imperative uses specific suffixes to tell someone to do something, changing based on whether you are talking to one or many.
- Singular informal: Use the root or add -ir/-ar (e.g., 'karda' - read).
- Plural/Formal: Add -ek/-ak to the stem (e.g., 'kardacek' - read).
- Negative: Add 'mi' before the verb (e.g., 'mi karda' - don't read).
Meanings
The imperative mood is used to issue commands, give advice, or make requests.
Direct Command
Telling someone to perform an action immediately.
“Արի՛ այստեղ։”
“Կեր այս խնձորը։”
Polite Request
Using the plural form to be respectful to one person.
“Խնդրում եմ, նստե՛ք։”
“Խմե՛ք թեյ։”
Prohibition
Telling someone not to do something.
“Մի՛ խոսիր։”
“Մի՛ գնացեք։”
Imperative Conjugation
| Verb | Singular (Informal) | Plural/Formal |
|---|---|---|
| Gnal (to go) | Gna | Gaceq |
| Kardal (to read) | Karda | Kardaceq |
| Grel (to write) | Gri | Greq |
| Utel (to eat) | Ker | Kereq |
| Xmel (to drink) | Xmi | Xmeq |
| Lsel (to listen) | Lsi | Lseq |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative Sing. | Stem | Gna! |
| Affirmative Plur. | Stem + ek | Gaceq! |
| Negative Sing. | Mi + Stem | Mi gna! |
| Negative Plur. | Mi + Stem + ek | Mi gaceq! |
| Formal Request | Plural form | Nsteq, xndrem |
| Prohibition | Mi + Verb | Mi xosir! |
正式程度
Areq aystegh. (Calling someone.)
Ari aystegh. (Calling someone.)
Ari. (Calling someone.)
Ari! (Calling someone.)
Singular vs Plural Imperative
按水平分级的例句
Ari!
Come!
Karda!
Read!
Gna!
Go!
Ker!
Eat!
Mi gna!
Don't go!
Nsteq, xndrem.
Sit down, please.
Greq sa.
Write this.
Mi xosir.
Don't talk.
Xndrum em, mi moraceq ays masin.
Please, don't forget about this.
Aysor gaceq kentron.
Go to the center today.
Mi vaxeceq, amen inch lav e.
Don't be afraid, everything is fine.
Bereq indz mi bazhak jur.
Bring me a glass of water.
Xndrum em, usumnasireq ays pastatghtery.
Please, study these documents.
Mi katakeq ayd masin.
Don't joke about that.
Nereceq, karogh eq ognel?
Excuse me, can you help?
Mi shtapeq voroshum kayacnel.
Don't rush to make a decision.
Xndrum em, mi anushadru t'oghneq ays manruqnerin.
Please, do not ignore these details.
Arajarkum em, usumnasireq ays tarberaky.
I suggest you study this option.
Mi entarkveq ayd tchnshmany.
Do not submit to that pressure.
Nereceq, karogh eq nerkayacnel dzer tesaket.
Excuse me, can you present your viewpoint?
Xndrum em, mi anpatasxanatu mi egheq dzer partakanutyunneri nkatmamb.
Please, do not be irresponsible regarding your duties.
Arajarkum em, veranayeq dzer naxkin motecumy.
I suggest you reconsider your previous approach.
Mi anushadru t'oghneq ays lurj xndiry.
Do not overlook this serious issue.
Nereceq, karogh eq parzabanel ays entadrutyuny?
Excuse me, can you clarify this assumption?
容易混淆
Learners use present tense to give orders.
Learners use 'voch' for commands.
Learners add -ek to singular.
常见错误
Voch gna
Mi gna
Gna-ek
Gaceq
Gna (to teacher)
Gaceq (to teacher)
Mi gaceq-ek
Mi gaceq
Grel
Gri
Mi kardal
Mi karda
Ari-ek
Areq
Mi karda-ek
Mi kardaceq
Xmel-ek
Xmeq
Lsel-ek
Lseq
句型
___ (verb) ___ (object).
Mi ___ (verb) ___ (object).
Xndrum em, ___ (verb) ___ (object).
___ (verb) ___ (object), ___ (verb) ___ (object).
Real World Usage
Ari!
Bereq surch.
Nsteq, xndrem.
Gaceq aj.
Greq hascen.
Kardaceq ays hodvacy!
Use the exclamation mark
Don't be rude
Practice with friends
Politeness first
Smart Tips
Always use the plural form.
Use 'mi' instead of 'voch'.
Use an exclamation mark.
Use 'Bereq' (Bring).
发音
Exclamation mark
In speech, this adds stress to the verb.
Falling
Gna! ↓
Firm command.
记住它
记忆技巧
Think of 'EK' as 'Everyone Knows' to remember the plural/formal suffix.
视觉联想
Imagine a teacher pointing at one student (singular) and then at the whole class (plural/formal).
Rhyme
For one, just say it; for many, add -ek.
Story
Aram tells his friend 'Gna' (Go). Then he tells his team 'Gaceq' (Go). Finally, he tells everyone 'Mi gna' (Don't go) when the bus arrives.
Word Web
挑战
Write 5 commands you would give to a friend and 5 you would give to a teacher.
文化笔记
Using the plural form for one person is a sign of respect, especially for elders.
The Armenian imperative stems from Old Armenian verb forms.
对话开场白
What do you tell a friend who is leaving?
How do you ask a waiter for water?
What do you say to a group of students?
How do you advise a colleague?
日记主题
Test Yourself
___ (Gnal) aystegh!
Which is the formal command?
Find and fix the mistake:
Voch gna.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Don't read this.
Answer starts with: a...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
How to address a teacher?
Mi ___ (xmel) ays jur.
Score: /8
练习题
8 exercises___ (Gnal) aystegh!
Which is the formal command?
Find and fix the mistake:
Voch gna.
surch / bereq / xndrum / em
Don't read this.
Match Gnal with its forms.
How to address a teacher?
Mi ___ (xmel) ays jur.
Score: /8
常见问题 (8)
It's the plural/formal suffix.
No, use 'mi'.
Only with elders/strangers.
Use the plural form.
Yes, based on the stem.
Mostly, yes.
Use the plural form.
Yes, but be polite.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Imperativo
Spanish uses different endings for different verb groups.
Impératif
French uses subject pronouns in some cases.
Imperativ
German word order changes in the imperative.
Meireikei
Japanese is much more indirect.
Amr
Arabic has gendered imperatives.
Imperative
Chinese verbs do not conjugate.
