Significado
Having no free time.
Contexto cultural
In Yerevan, saying you are busy is often followed by a list of things you are doing to show productivity. It's a way of participating in the 'new' Armenia. In traditional circles, being 'busy' is never an excuse to skip a funeral or a wedding. Social duties are considered 'holy' work. In the Diaspora (US, France, etc.), 'Զբաղված եմ' is used more strictly like the local culture (e.g., 'I'm busy' in the American sense). Armenian bosses may expect you to be 'զբաղված' even if there is no immediate task, as a sign of dedication.
Soften the blow
Always add 'կներես' (sorry) before saying you are busy to sound more polite in Armenian culture.
Don't forget the 'em'
Saying just 'զբաղված' sounds like a robot. Always include the 'եմ'.
Significado
Having no free time.
Soften the blow
Always add 'կներես' (sorry) before saying you are busy to sound more polite in Armenian culture.
Don't forget the 'em'
Saying just 'զբաղված' sounds like a robot. Always include the 'եմ'.
Use 'Խառն եմ'
If you want to sound like a local in Yerevan, use 'խառն եմ' when you are really swamped.
The 'Jan' factor
Adding 'ջան' (dear) to the person's name makes your 'I'm busy' much more acceptable.
Teste-se
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'to be' (եմ, ես, է, ենք, եք, են).
Մենք հիմա շատ զբաղված ____:
The subject is 'Մենք' (We), so the correct verb form is 'ենք'.
Choose the most polite way to say 'I am busy' to a friend.
How do you say 'Sorry, I am a little busy'?
'Կներես' (Sorry) and 'մի քիչ' (a little) soften the refusal.
Match the Armenian phrase with its English translation.
Match the following:
These cover the basic variations of intensity and tense.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Արի գնանք կինո: B: Չեմ կարող, այսօր ____ ____:
The context 'Չեմ կարող' (I can't) requires a reason like being busy.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Tense Chart
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosՄենք հիմա շատ զբաղված ____:
The subject is 'Մենք' (We), so the correct verb form is 'ենք'.
How do you say 'Sorry, I am a little busy'?
'Կներես' (Sorry) and 'մի քիչ' (a little) soften the refusal.
Combine cada item a esquerda com seu par a direita:
These cover the basic variations of intensity and tense.
A: Արի գնանք կինո: B: Չեմ կարող, այսօր ____ ____:
The context 'Չեմ կարող' (I can't) requires a reason like being busy.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, it's neutral. But like in English, tone matters. Adding 'sorry' makes it very polite.
Add 'շատ' (shat) before: 'Շատ զբաղված եմ'.
Yes, 'Զբաղված է' means 'The line is busy'.
'Զբաղված' is general; 'Գործի' specifically implies work or tasks.
Say 'Զբաղվա՞ծ ես' (informal) or 'Զբաղվա՞ծ եք' (formal).
Yes, 'Խառն եմ' is the most common slang for being busy/swamped.
Say 'Զբաղված չեմ'.
No, for a bathroom being occupied, Armenians usually say 'Մարդ կա' (There is a person).
Զբաղված էի (I was busy).
Զբաղված կլինեմ (I will be busy).
Frases relacionadas
Գործի եմ
similarI am at work / I have things to do
Ազատ չեմ
synonymI am not free
Խառն եմ
specialized formI am swamped/messy
Ժամանակ չունեմ
similarI don't have time
Պարապ եմ
contrastI am idle/free
