Meaning
A casual way to ask for updates or news.
Cultural Background
In the capital, this phrase is often followed by a long 'pauza' (pause) where the speaker expects you to actually share something, even if it's just what you ate. English-Armenian bilinguals often say 'What's new?' in English but use Armenian grammar structures when they switch back, sometimes mixing 'Inch news ka?'. Western Armenian speakers might prefer 'Ի՞նչ լուր ունիս' (Inch loor unis), which sounds slightly more traditional to Eastern Armenian ears. In villages, 'news' often refers to the harvest, the weather, or specific family members. It is a very practical question.
The 'Ka' Rule
Always use 'ka' for 'there is' when asking about news. Using 'e' (is) sounds like a direct translation from English and is a dead giveaway that you're a learner.
Don't say 'Nothing'
Even if your life is quiet, try to say 'Everything is fine' (Ամեն ինչ լավ է) instead of just 'Nothing' (Ոչինչ), which can sound grumpy.
Meaning
A casual way to ask for updates or news.
The 'Ka' Rule
Always use 'ka' for 'there is' when asking about news. Using 'e' (is) sounds like a direct translation from English and is a dead giveaway that you're a learner.
Don't say 'Nothing'
Even if your life is quiet, try to say 'Everything is fine' (Ամեն ինչ լավ է) instead of just 'Nothing' (Ոչինչ), which can sound grumpy.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to ask 'What's new?'
Ի՞նչ ________ կա:
'նորություն' means 'news'.
Where should the question mark go?
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence:
In Armenian, the question mark goes on the vowel of the question word (Ի՞նչ).
Complete the dialogue.
Աննա: Բարև, ի՞նչ նորություն կա: Դավիթ: ________:
This is the most natural response to 'What's new?' if nothing major has happened.
Match the phrase to the context.
Match 'Ի՞նչ կա չկա' to its best context:
'Ի՞նչ կա չկա' is a very informal, idiomatic variation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use 'Ի՞նչ նորություն կա'
Friends
- • Cafe
- • Park
- • Party
Family
- • Dinner
- • Phone call
- • Visit
Practice Bank
4 exercisesԻ՞նչ ________ կա:
'նորություն' means 'news'.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence:
In Armenian, the question mark goes on the vowel of the question word (Ի՞նչ).
Աննա: Բարև, ի՞նչ նորություն կա: Դավիթ: ________:
This is the most natural response to 'What's new?' if nothing major has happened.
Match 'Ի՞նչ կա չկա' to its best context:
'Ի՞նչ կա չկա' is a very informal, idiomatic variation.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsIt is singular, but it is used to ask for 'news' in general (which is plural in English). You can also use the plural 'նորություններ', but the singular is more common in this specific greeting.
It's a bit informal. Better to say 'Ինչպե՞ս եք' (How are you? - formal) or 'Ի՞նչ նորություններ ունեք' (What news do you have?).
The most common answer is 'Ոչ մի նորություն' (No news) or 'Ամեն ինչ նույնն է' (Everything is the same).
In Armenian, the question mark (՞) is placed on the vowel of the word that carries the question, not at the end of the sentence.
Related Phrases
Ի՞նչ կա չկա
similarWhat's there and not there?
Ո՞նց ես
similarHow are you?
Ի՞նչ նորություններ ունեք
specialized formWhat news do you (formal) have?
Ամեն ինչ նույնն է
contrastEverything is the same.
