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A1 noun 9 min read

խնդիր

problem or issue

At the A1 level, the word 'խնդիր' (khndir) is primarily used to express that something is wrong or to say 'no problem.' Beginners should focus on the phrase 'խնդիր չկա' (khndir chka), which is a common response to 'thank you' or an apology. It is also important to learn the basic sentence structure 'Ես խնդիր ունեմ' (I have a problem) to signal that you need assistance. At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex grammar; just treat 'խնդիր' as a standard object in your sentences. You will mostly use it in the singular form to describe immediate, simple issues like a broken pen or a missed bus. Understanding that 'խնդիր' is the equivalent of 'problem' is the first step in building your Armenian vocabulary. You might also see it in very simple math contexts if you are using a textbook. The focus is on survival communication—identifying that a problem exists and using the word to seek help or reassure others that everything is fine. Practice saying 'խնդիր չկա' with a friendly tone to sound more like a native speaker when someone thanks you for a small favor. This simple phrase alone will make you feel much more comfortable in social interactions in Armenia.
At the A2 level, you begin to use 'խնդիր' in more descriptive ways. You should start pairing it with simple adjectives like 'մեծ' (big), 'փոքր' (small), or 'բարդ' (complex). For example, 'Սա մեծ խնդիր է' (This is a big problem). You will also learn to use the plural form 'խնդիրներ' (khndirner) to talk about multiple issues. At this stage, you should be able to describe what the problem is about using the dative or genitive cases, such as 'խնդիրներ ընտանիքում' (problems in the family). You will also encounter the word in the context of school or basic work tasks, where it refers to 'assignments' or 'exercises.' Understanding the difference between 'խնդիր' (a problem to solve) and 'հարց' (a question to ask) becomes more important here. You might use 'խնդիր' to talk about technical issues with your computer or phone. Your goal at A2 is to move beyond just saying 'I have a problem' and start providing a bit of context about what kind of problem it is. You should also be comfortable using it with the verb 'լուծել' (to solve) in simple present and past tenses, like 'Ես լուծեցի խնդիրը' (I solved the problem).
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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'խնդիր' in a variety of social, professional, and academic contexts. You will start to see the word used in more abstract ways, such as 'սոցիալական խնդիրներ' (social issues) or 'բնապահպանական խնդիրներ' (environmental problems). You should be able to discuss these issues in moderate detail, explaining why something is a 'խնդիր' and suggesting potential 'լուծումներ' (solutions). In the workplace, you might use the word to define the 'goals' or 'tasks' for a project. For example, 'Մեր հիմնական խնդիրն է...' (Our main task/problem is...). You will also learn more complex collocations, such as 'խնդիր առաջանալ' (a problem to arise) or 'խնդիրը քննարկել' (to discuss the problem). At this stage, your grammar should be more precise, correctly declining 'խնդիր' in various cases like the ablative (խնդրից) or instrumental (խնդրով). You should also be able to distinguish between 'խնդիր' and its synonyms like 'դժվարություն' (difficulty) or 'արգելք' (obstacle) based on the specific nuance of the situation. Your ability to use 'խնդիր' in a B1 level conversation shows that you can handle everyday life and professional interactions in Armenian with relative ease.
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At the B2 level, 'խնդիր' becomes a tool for nuanced discussion and debate. You will use it to describe complex socio-political issues, philosophical dilemmas, and intricate technical challenges. You should be able to analyze the 'խնդրի էությունը' (the essence of the problem) and discuss 'խնդրահարույց' (problematic) aspects of a theory or a plan. At this stage, you will encounter the word in more sophisticated literature and formal news reports. You should be comfortable using it in the passive voice, such as 'խնդիրը լուծված է' (the problem is solved). You will also use the word to set high-level objectives in a professional setting, such as 'ռազմավարական խնդիրներ' (strategic tasks/problems). At B2, you are expected to understand the historical and cultural weight the word can carry in certain contexts, such as 'Հայկական խնդիրը' (The Armenian Question), which refers to a specific historical and political period. Your vocabulary should include related academic terms like 'խնդրագիր' (petition) or 'խնդրահարույց' (problematic/controversial). You should be able to use 'խնդիր' to construct well-reasoned arguments, identifying the core issue, exploring its facets, and proposing multi-layered solutions in both written and spoken Armenian.
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At the C1 level, your use of 'խնդիր' should reflect a deep, near-native understanding of its lexical and stylistic possibilities. You will use the word in highly formal, academic, or legal contexts where precision is paramount. You might discuss 'իրավական խնդիրներ' (legal issues) or 'էթիկական խնդիրներ' (ethical dilemmas) with a high degree of sophistication. You should be able to use the word to frame complex research questions in a thesis or academic paper, often using it in combination with verbs like 'արծարծել' (to raise/bring up an issue) or 'վերհանել' (to identify/bring to light a problem). At this level, you will also appreciate the word's role in classical Armenian (Grabar) literature and how its meaning has evolved over centuries. You should be able to use 'խնդիր' in idiomatic expressions and understand its subtle connotations in different registers of speech. For example, you might use it to describe a specific linguistic 'խնդիր' in translation studies. Your ability to manipulate the word in complex sentence structures, using advanced conjunctions and relative clauses, should be seamless. You will also be sensitive to the word's usage in different dialects, though your primary focus will remain on the standard literary language.
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At the C2 level, you have mastered 'խնդիր' to the point where you can use it with the same flexibility and nuance as a highly educated native speaker. You can use the word in creative writing, poetry, or high-level philosophical discourse to explore the 'խնդիր' of human existence or the 'խնդիր' of language itself. You understand the most obscure and archaic uses of the word and can deploy them for stylistic effect. Your command of the word includes a complete mastery of all its collocations, idioms, and derivatives. You can engage in deep debates on national and international 'խնդիրներ', using the word to frame the conversation in a way that is both persuasive and intellectually rigorous. You are also able to critique the use of the word in others' speech or writing, identifying when it is used as a rhetorical device or when a more precise term would be more appropriate. At this level, 'խնդիր' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a conceptual building block that you use to navigate the most complex and abstract areas of thought and communication in the Armenian language. You can effortlessly switch between its meanings as a 'problem,' 'task,' 'issue,' or 'request' depending on the most subtle requirements of the context.
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Examples
The Armenian word խնդիր (pronounced 'khndir') is a versatile and essential noun that every learner must master early on. At its core, it translates to 'problem,' 'issue,' or 'task.' However, its usage spans across various domains, from mathematics to social justice. In everyday conversation, Armenians use it to describe a difficulty they are facing, while in an academic setting, it specifically refers to a math problem or a research question.
Everyday Difficulty
When your car won't start or your internet is down, you have a խնդիր. It denotes a situation that requires a solution or creates an obstacle.

Մենք մեծ խնդիր ունենք մեքենայի հետ: (We have a big problem with the car.)

Academic Context
In a classroom, if a teacher asks you to solve exercise number five, they are asking you to solve the խնդիր. It is the standard term for a mathematical problem.

Այս մաթեմատիկական խնդիրը շատ բարդ է: (This mathematical problem is very complex.)

Social and Political Issues
In news and formal discussions, it refers to 'issues' such as environmental problems (բնապահպանական խնդիրներ) or political conflicts.

Ջրի պակասը լուրջ խնդիր է այս տարածաշրջանում: (Water scarcity is a serious issue in this region.)

Առողջական խնդիրներ ունե՞ք: (Do you have health problems?)

Մենք պետք է լուծենք այս խնդիրը հիմա: (We must solve this problem now.)

Understanding 'խնդիր' requires recognizing that it isn't always negative. A 'խնդիր' can also be a challenge set before someone to encourage growth, much like a 'task' or 'assignment' in a professional setting. In business Armenian, you might hear managers talk about the 'խնդիրներ' for the day, meaning the goals or objectives to be achieved. This nuance separates it from words that only mean 'disaster' or 'failure.' It is a neutral-to-negative word depending on the verb paired with it. For example, 'ունենալ խնդիր' (to have a problem) is usually negative, whereas 'դնել խնդիր' (to set a task/goal) is a proactive, professional action.
Using խնդիր correctly in a sentence involves understanding its grammatical role as a noun and the common verbs it associates with. In Armenian, nouns change their endings based on their role (declension), but for beginners, focusing on the nominative and dative cases is a great start.
As a Subject
When the problem itself is doing something (like existing or appearing), it is the subject. 'Խնդիրը բարդ է' (The problem is complex).

Այդ խնդիրը ինձ անհանգստացնում է: (That problem worries me.)

As an Object
When you are solving, having, or creating a problem, 'խնդիր' acts as the direct object. 'Ես խնդիր եմ լուծում' (I am solving a problem).

Նա նոր խնդիրներ ստեղծեց: (He created new problems.)

Դուք խնդիր չունեք: (You don't have a problem.)

With Adjectives
You can modify 'խնդիր' with various adjectives to specify the type of problem. Common ones include 'լուրջ' (serious), 'փոքր' (small), 'անձնական' (personal), and 'գլոբալ' (global).

Սա շատ լուրջ խնդիր է մեր ընտանիքի համար: (This is a very serious problem for our family.)

Մի՛ անհանգստացեք, դա փոքր խնդիր է: (Don't worry, that is a small problem.)

When you are describing a problem that belongs to someone, you use the genitive case (often adding -ի). For example, 'ընկերոջս խնդիրը' (my friend's problem). If you are talking about the 'solution to the problem,' you would say 'խնդրի լուծումը.' Notice how the 'ի' in 'խնդիր' can sometimes drop or change in complex declensions in Western Armenian, but in Eastern Armenian (the standard in Armenia), 'խնդրի' is the common genitive form. This flexibility makes 'խնդիր' a building block for complex sentences where you describe causes, effects, and solutions surrounding an issue.
You will encounter խնդիր in almost every corner of Armenian life. If you walk into a mobile phone shop in Yerevan because your screen is broken, the technician might ask, 'Ի՞նչ խնդիր ունեք' (What problem do you have?). In this context, it is a functional, helpful word used to diagnose a situation.
In Public Transport
If a bus is delayed or breaks down, passengers will complain about the 'տրանսպորտի խնդիրները' (transportation problems). It is a staple of civic discourse.

Այսօր քաղաքում տրանսպորտի խնդիր կա: (There is a transportation problem in the city today.)

On the News
News anchors frequently discuss 'Ղարաբաղյան խնդիրը' (The Karabakh issue) or 'տնտեսական խնդիրները' (economic problems). Here, the word takes on a weightier, more formal tone.

Կառավարությունը քննարկում է բնակարանային խնդիրները: (The government is discussing housing issues.)

Եթե խնդիր առաջանա, զանգահարեք ինձ: (If a problem arises, call me.)

In Schools and Universities
Students are constantly 'խնդիր լուծում' (solving problems). Whether it's a physics equation or a logic puzzle, 'խնդիր' is the word for the task at hand.

Այս խնդիրը քննության մեջ կլինի: (This problem will be in the exam.)

Մենք պետք է հասկանանք խնդրի պատճառը: (We must understand the cause of the problem.)

In social settings, 'խնդիր' is often used to deflect praise or minimize a favor. If you help someone carry their bags and they thank you profusely, saying 'խնդիր չկա' (no problem) is the most natural response. It signals that the effort was no burden to you. Conversely, if someone says 'խնդիրներ ունեմ' (I have problems) with a heavy sigh, they are likely referring to personal or financial troubles and are looking for empathy. This duality—between a cold mathematical problem and a warm human struggle—is what makes 'խնդիր' such a foundational word in the Armenian language. It covers the entirety of the human experience of overcoming obstacles, whether they are on a chalkboard or in our hearts.
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using խնդիր is confusing it with the word հարց (harts), which means 'question.' In English, we sometimes use 'issue' and 'question' interchangeably (e.g., 'The question of funding' or 'The issue of funding'). In Armenian, however, these are strictly separated.
Խնդիր vs. Հարց
Use 'հարց' when you are asking something and expect an answer. Use 'խնդիր' when there is a difficulty to be solved. If you say 'Ես հարց ունեմ' (I have a question), you want information. If you say 'Ես խնդիր ունեմ' (I have a problem), you need help or a solution.

Սխալ: Ես խնդիր ունեմ դասախոսին: (Wrong: I have a 'problem' to the professor [meaning question].)

Ճիշտ: Ես հարց ունեմ դասախոսին: (Correct: I have a question for the professor.)

Pluralization Errors
Beginners often forget to use the plural marker '-ներ' (ner) for 'խնդիրներ'. Since Armenian doesn't always require plural nouns after numbers, some might say 'երկու խնդիր' (two problem), which is grammatically acceptable in some contexts but sounds slightly 'off' when referring to distinct, complex issues where 'երկու խնդիրներ' (two problems) is clearer.

Նա շատ խնդիրներ ունի: (He has many problems.)

Այս խնդիրը պետք է լուծվի: (This problem must be solved.)

Another mistake is using the Russian loanword 'պրոբլեմ' (problem) in formal writing. While perfectly fine in a casual conversation with friends in Yerevan, using 'պրոբլեմ' in an essay or a business proposal makes you sound less educated. Always opt for 'խնդիր' to sound more native and polished. Furthermore, pay attention to the verb 'to solve.' In English, we solve problems. In Armenian, the verb is 'լուծել' (lutsel). Some learners mistakenly use 'անել' (to do), saying 'խնդիր անել' which sounds like 'to do a problem'—this is only used for doing homework, not for resolving a crisis. For resolving a crisis, always use 'լուծել խնդիրը' (to solve the problem). Finally, be careful with the word 'խնդրում եմ' (please), which comes from the same root 'խնդրել' (to ask/request). While related, 'խնդիր' is the noun form, and 'խնդրում եմ' is a verb phrase. Don't confuse the two in your sentences!
To truly master Armenian, you need to know when to use խնդիր and when a more specific word is better suited. While 'խնդիր' is a great 'catch-all' term, Armenian has a rich vocabulary for specific types of difficulties.
Դժվարություն (Dzhvarutyun)
This means 'difficulty.' Use this when you are describing how hard a task is, rather than the task itself. 'Մենք դժվարություններ ունենք' (We have difficulties).

Լեզուն սովորելը դժվարություն չէ, այլ հաճույք: (Learning the language is not a difficulty, but a pleasure.)

Արգելք (Argelk)
This means 'obstacle' or 'barrier.' Use this when something is physically or metaphorically blocking your path. 'Ճանապարհին արգելք կա' (There is an obstacle on the road).

Նա հաղթահարեց բոլոր արգելքները: (He overcame all obstacles.)

Հարց (Harts)
As mentioned before, this means 'question.' In formal contexts, 'խնդիր' and 'հարց' are often paired: 'խնդիրներ և հարցեր' (issues and questions).

Այս հարցը շատ կարևոր է: (This question/issue is very important.)

Պրոբլեմ (Problem)
The Russian/English loanword. It is very common in spoken Armenian but should be avoided in formal writing. Use it with friends, but use 'խնդիր' with your boss or teacher.

Արա՛, պրոբլեմ չկա: (Dude, no problem - very informal.)

Կներեք նեղության համար: (Sorry for the trouble/inconvenience.)

By choosing between these words, you can convey much more precise meaning. If you have a 'խնդիր,' you have a specific task or issue to address. If you have a 'դժվարություն,' you are struggling with the difficulty of a situation. If you have an 'արգելք,' something is in your way. And if you have a 'նեղություն,' you are experiencing or causing an inconvenience. Mastering these nuances will make your Armenian sound much more natural and sophisticated.
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Examples by Level

1

Ես խնդիր ունեմ:

I have a problem.

Basic Subject-Object-Verb order.

2

Խնդիր չկա:

No problem.

A very common idiomatic phrase.

3

Սա մեծ խնդիր է:

This is a big problem.

Using an adjective (մեծ) to modify the noun.

4

Դու խնդիր ունե՞ս:

Do you have a problem?

Question formed by intonation and a question mark.

5

Այս խնդիրը հեշտ է:

This problem is easy.

Using the definite article '-ը'.

6

Մենք խնդիր չունենք:

We don't have a problem.

Negative form using 'չ-' prefix on the verb.

7

Նա խնդիր ունի դպրոցում:

He has a problem at school.

Using the locative sense with 'դպրոցում'.

8

Ի՞նչ խնդիր կա:

What problem is there? / What's the matter?

Using 'ի՞նչ' (what) and 'կա' (there is).

1

Այս մաթեմատիկական խնդիրը բարդ է:

This mathematical problem is complex.

Adjective 'մաթեմատիկական' modifying 'խնդիր'.

2

Ես պետք է լուծեմ այս խնդիրը:

I must solve this problem.

Using the modal 'պետք է' (must/should).

3

Մենք նոր խնդիրներ ունենք աշխատանքի վայրում:

We have new problems at the workplace.

Plural form 'խնդիրներ'.

4

Իմ համակարգիչը լուրջ խնդիր ունի:

My computer has a serious problem.

Possessive 'իմ' (my) and adjective 'լուրջ' (serious).

5

Դուք կարո՞ղ եք օգնել այս խնդրի հետ:

Can you help with this problem?

Genitive form 'խնդրի'.

6

Նրանք լուծեցին բոլոր խնդիրները:

They solved all the problems.

Past tense 'լուծեցին' (they solved).

7

Այս խնդիրը շատ ժամանակ է խլում:

This problem takes a lot of time.

Verb phrase 'ժամանակ խլել' (to take/steal time).

8

Ես չեմ ուզում խնդիրներ ունենալ:

I don't want to have problems.

Infinitive 'ունենալ' (to have) with 'չեմ ուզում' (I don't want).

1

Մենք պետք է քննարկենք այս սոցիալական խնդիրը:

We must discuss this social issue.

Using 'քննարկել' (to discuss) with 'խնդիր'.

2

Բնապահպանական խնդիրները գնալով շատանում են:

Environmental problems are increasing over time.

Plural subject with a continuous verb form.

3

Այս խնդրի լուծումը դժվար կլինի գտնել:

It will be difficult to find the solution to this problem.

Genitive 'խնդրի' linked to 'լուծումը' (the solution).

4

Նա միշտ խնդիրներ է ստեղծում ուրիշների համար:

He always creates problems for others.

Using 'ստեղծել' (to create).

5

Խնդիրը հասկանալը հաջողության կեսն է:

Understanding the problem is half the success.

Gerund 'հասկանալը' (understanding) as the subject.

6

Այս խնդիրը վերաբերում է բոլորին:

This issue concerns everyone.

Verb 'վերաբերել' (to concern/relate to).

7

Դուք պետք է կենտրոնանաք հիմնական խնդրի վրա:

You must focus on the main problem.

Postposition 'վրա' (on) with the dative case.

8

Եթե նոր խնդիր առաջանա, տեղեկացրեք մեզ:

If a new problem arises, let us know.

Conditional 'եթե' (if) and verb 'առաջանալ' (to arise).

1

Կառավարությունը պետք է լուծի բնակարանային խնդիրը:

The government must solve the housing issue.

Compound adjective 'բնակարանային' (housing-related).

2

Այս հոդվածը վերլուծում է տնտեսական խնդիրները:

This article analyzes economic problems.

Verb 'վերլուծել' (to analyze).

3

Խնդիրն այն է, որ մենք բավարար ռեսուրսներ չունենք:

The problem is that we don't have enough resources.

Complex sentence with 'այն է, որ' (is that).

4

Մենք բախվեցինք մի անսպասելի խնդրի:

We encountered an unexpected problem.

Verb 'բախվել' (to collide/encounter) with the dative case.

5

Այս խնդրի շուրջ բազմաթիվ կարծիքներ կան:

There are many opinions regarding this issue.

Postposition 'շուրջ' (around/regarding).

6

Խնդրահարույց է այն փաստը, որ նա չի մասնակցում:

It is problematic that he is not participating.

Adjective 'խնդրահարույց' (problematic).

7

Նա փորձում է խուսափել պատասխանատվությունից և խնդիրներից:

He is trying to avoid responsibility and problems.

Ablative case 'խնդիրներից' (from problems).

8

Այս խնդիրը պահանջում է անհապաղ միջամտություն:

This issue requires immediate intervention.

Verb 'պահանջել' (to require).

1

Հայկական խնդիրը միջազգային դիվանագիտության կարևոր թեմաներից էր:

The Armenian Question was one of the important themes of international diplomacy.

Historical term 'Հայկական խնդիր'.

2

Զեկույցում արծարծվում են լեզվական քաղաքականության խնդիրները:

The report addresses issues of language policy.

Passive verb 'արծարծվել' (to be raised/addressed).

3

Մենք պետք է վերհանենք այս երևույթի խորքային խնդիրները:

We must identify the deep-seated issues of this phenomenon.

Verb 'վերհանել' (to bring to light).

4

Խնդրի էությունը կայանում է նրանում, որ օրենքը հստակ չէ:

The essence of the problem lies in the fact that the law is not clear.

Formal structure 'կայանում է նրանում, որ'.

5

Այս հետազոտությունը նպատակ ունի լուծելու բարդ գիտական խնդիրներ:

This research aims to solve complex scientific problems.

Purpose construction with the infinitive in the dative.

6

Նա բարձրացրեց մի խնդիր, որը նախկինում անտեսված էր:

He raised an issue that was previously ignored.

Relative clause with 'որը' (which).

7

Խնդրի բազմակողմանի քննարկումը անհրաժեշտություն է:

A multifaceted discussion of the issue is a necessity.

Compound adjective 'բազմակողմանի' (multifaceted).

8

Իրավական տեսանկյունից այս խնդիրը դեռևս չունի լուծում:

From a legal perspective, this problem still has no solution.

Adverbial phrase 'իրավական տեսանկյունից'.

1

Էկզիստենցիալ խնդիրները հաճախ արտացոլվում են նրա պոեզիայում:

Existential problems are often reflected in his poetry.

Academic adjective 'էկզիստենցիալ'.

2

Հեղինակը հմտորեն շրջանցում է քաղաքական խնդրահարույց հարցերը:

The author skillfully bypasses problematic political issues.

Adverb 'հմտորեն' (skillfully) and verb 'շրջանցել' (to bypass).

3

Խնդրի հանգուցալուծումը պահանջում էր բացառիկ դիվանագիտական ճկունություն:

The resolution of the problem required exceptional diplomatic flexibility.

Noun 'հանգուցալուծում' (denouement/resolution).

4

Այս խնդիրը դարձել է ժամանակակից փիլիսոփայության առանցքային կետերից մեկը:

This problem has become one of the key points of modern philosophy.

Superlative sense with 'առանցքային' (pivotal/key).

5

Նրա աշխատանքը նվիրված է ինքնության ճգնաժամի խնդիրներին:

Her work is dedicated to the problems of identity crisis.

Dative plural 'խնդիրներին' with 'նվիրված' (dedicated).

6

Խնդրի արմատները հասնում են մինչև միջնադարյան իրավունքի ակունքները:

The roots of the problem reach back to the sources of medieval law.

Metaphorical usage of 'արմատներ' (roots).

7

Այս հարցադրումը նոր լույս է սփռում հին խնդրի վրա:

This inquiry sheds new light on an old problem.

Idiomatic expression 'լույս սփռել' (to shed light).

8

Խնդրի առարկան մնում է նույնը, թեև մեթոդները փոխվել են:

The subject of the problem remains the same, although the methods have changed.

Formal phrase 'խնդրի առարկան' (the subject of the issue).

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