Greetings
Բարև ձեզ (Barev dzez)
bah-REV dzez
Hello (formal). 'Barev' alone is the casual version. Armenians warm noticeably to a foreigner who uses it.
Շնորհակալություն (Shnorhakalutyun)
shnor-ha-ka-loo-TYOON
Thank you — a mouthful, and locals know it. 'Merci' (borrowed straight from French) is what people actually say day to day.
Daily life
Ինչքա՞ն արժե (Inchqan arzhe?)
inch-KAN ar-ZHEH
How much does it cost? Essential at GUM Market and Vernissage, where prices are opening positions.
Այո / Ոչ (Ayo / Voch)
ah-YO / voch
Yes / No. Note the head gesture: a single sharp upward tilt can mean no, which trips up newcomers in shops.
Իդրամ (Idram)
EE-dram
The dominant local payment wallet — QR payments, bill splitting and utility bills. Alongside Telcell, it is how Yerevan pays for small things.
Social
Ջան (Jan)
jahn
An affectionate suffix attached to names — 'Ani jan', 'Armen jan'. Roughly 'dear'. You will be called it constantly and it is a good sign.
Food
Սուրճ (Surch)
soorch
Coffee. Armenian coffee comes thick and unfiltered in a small cup; 'soorch' in a Yerevan café is also the price of a desk for three hours.
Լավաշ (Lavash)
lah-VASH
The thin flatbread baked in a tonir pit — UNESCO-listed, served with everything, and used as a wrapper, plate and napkin at once.
Work
Հանրային ծառայությունների համարանիշ (Hanrayin tsarayutyunneri hamaranish)
han-rah-YIN — usually just called the 'social card' or PSN
Public Services Number. The Armenian tax and identity number banks and employers ask for. Get it early.
Culture
Արարատ (Ararat)
ah-rah-RAT
The mountain on the skyline and the national symbol — and it stands inside Turkey, across a closed border. Locals will point it out on the first clear morning.
Emergency
Օգնությու՛ն (Ognutyun!)
og-noo-TYOON
Help! Armenia switched to a unified 112 on 15 February 2026; 101, 102 and 103 still work and redirect during the transition.
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