Accusative and dative
Mark people as direct objects and identify the recipient of an action.
Objects behave differently when they are people
A definite inanimate direct object commonly keeps the nominative-looking form. A person used as a definite direct object normally takes the dative-looking form. The dative also marks the recipient of giving, telling, and similar actions.
Object pronouns
| Subject | Object / dative | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| ես — yes — I | ինձ | indz | me / to me |
| դու — du — you | քեզ | k’ez | you / to you |
| նա — na — he / she | նրան | nran | him / her / to him / her |
| մենք — menk’ — we | մեզ | mez | us / to us |
| դուք — duk’ — you | ձեզ | dzez | you / to you |
| նրանք — nrank’ — they | նրանց | nrants’ | them / to them |
The dative also marks a destination
With many place nouns, the dative can express movement toward a definite destination. The same form also appears after verbs such as helping, giving, speaking to, and approaching.
Compare the functions
Ես գիրքը տեսնում եմ։Yes girk’ə tesnum em.I see the book.Pronunciation: k’ is aspirated; ə is a short “uh” sound.
Ես Արամին տեսնում եմ։Yes Aramin tesnum em.I see Aram.
Ես Անիին սուրճ եմ տալիս։Yes Aniin surch em talis.I give Ani coffee.Pronunciation: ch is unaspirated.
Նա ինձ օգնում է։Na indz ognum e.He / she helps me.Pronunciation: dz is one blended sound.
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Practice this lesson
Eight questions are drawn from this lesson and reshuffled every time.
Questions switch between recognition and recall, so you practise both meaning and the Armenian form.