AskaciHello in Armenian: barev and every greeting you need
“Barev” is the first Armenian word everyone learns. Here is how to greet people at any time of day, politely or among friends, with audio for every phrase.
To say hello in Armenian, the everyday word is Բարև (barev). It works from morning to night, with friends and shopkeepers alike. To be more polite, with an elder or someone you don’t know, add dzez (“to you”): Բարև ձեզ.
Basic greetings
- Բարև Barev Hi, hello (everyday)It comes from “բարի” (good): you are literally wishing someone well.Western : Բարեւ (Parev)
- Բարև ձեզ Barev dzez Hello (polite, “to you”)Western : Բարեւ ձեզ (Parev tsez)
- Ողջույն Vokhchuyn Greetings, helloA little more formal, common in writing and on the radio.
- Ալո alo Hello (on the phone)
Greetings for each time of day
Just like in English, Armenian has a phrase for every moment. They all start with bari, “good”: good light, good day, good evening, good night.
- Բարի լույս Bari luys Good morning (“good light”)A lovely reply is to swap the words: “Լույս բարի” (luys bari), “light good”.Western : Բարի լոյս (Pari loys)
- Բարի օր Bari or Have a good day
- Բարի երեկո Bari yereko Good eveningWestern : Բարի իրիկուն (pari irigun)
- Բարի գիշեր Bari gisher Good nightWestern : Բարի գիշեր (pari gisher)
Introducing yourself and asking how someone is
- Ինչպե՞ս ես Inchpes es? How are you?The small “՞” sign is the Armenian question mark: it sits on the syllable that carries the question.
- Լավ եմ Lav em I’m fine
- Հաճելի է Hacheli e Nice to meet you (“it’s pleasant”)
- Բարի գալուստ Bari galust Welcome
For more on small talk, read our guide to how are you in Armenian.
Saying goodbye
- Ցտեսություն Tstesutyun Goodbye (“until we see each other”)Western : Ցտեսութիւն (Tsdesutiun)
- Հաջող Hajogh Bye, see you (casual)
- Կտեսնվենք Ktesnvenk See you soon
- Հաջողություն Hajoghutyun Good luck, all the best
A little greeting etiquette
- Among close friends and family, people kiss on the cheek; men often shake hands warmly or hug.
- With elders, say barev dzez and use the polite “you”. In families, people add jan after the name: “Tatik jan”. Learn more in our guide to Armenian terms of endearment.
- In a shop, a simple barev dzez when you come in, and shnorhakalutyun (thank you) when you leave.
Put it into practice
The hard part is not remembering barev, it’s daring to say it. In Askaci, the very first greetings lesson lets you hear each word and repeat it, and Ani, your AI tutor, welcomes you to a café in Yerevan for your first real conversation.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say hello in Armenian?
You say “Բարև” (barev) in everyday situations and “Բարև ձեզ” (barev dzez) to be polite. In the morning, people also say “Բարի լույս” (bari luys), “good light”.
How do you reply to bari luys?
You can repeat “Բարի լույս”, or reply with the charming “Լույս բարի” (luys bari), swapping the two words.
How do you say goodbye in Armenian?
The standard phrase is “Ցտեսություն” (tstesutyun), literally “until we see each other again”. Among friends, say “Հաջող” (hajogh) or “Կտեսնվենք” (ktesnvenk), “see you”.