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Nouns and cases

Accusative and dative

Mark people as direct objects and identify the recipient of an action.

11 minute lesson

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

SubjectObject / dativeTransliterationEnglish
ես — yes — Iինձindzme / to me
դու — du — youքեզk’ezyou / to you
նա — na — he / sheնրանnranhim / her / to him / her
մենք — menk’ — weմեզmezus / to us
դուք — duk’ — youձեզdzezyou / to you
նրանք — nrank’ — theyնրանցnrants’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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