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All lessons Lesson 9
Everyday lesson · 30 minutes

Transport, Directions & City Rules

1. Getting around

Start with the transport words you will hear most often, then connect them to frequency and simple opinions. Learn the transport as part of a useful sentence rather than as an isolated list.

Transport

ավտոբուս avtobus bus
մետրո metro metro / subway
գնացք gnats’k’ train Pronunciation: ts’ and k’ are aspirated.
տրամվայ tramvay tram
տաքսի taksi taxi
մեքենա mek’ena car Pronunciation: k’ is aspirated.
հեծանիվ hetsaniv bicycle
մոտոցիկլ motots’ikl motorcycle Pronunciation: ts’ is aspirated.
ինքնաթիռ ink’nat’ir airplane Pronunciation: k’ and t’ are aspirated.
նավ nav ship / boat

Use it in a sentence

Ես հաճախ ավտոբուսով եմ գնում։ Yes hachakh avtobusov em gnum. I often go by bus. Pronunciation: kh is a strong throaty sound [x].
Ես երբեմն մետրոյով եմ գնում։ Yes yerbemn metroyov em gnum. I sometimes go by metro.
Ես հազվադեպ եմ տաքսի նստում։ Yes hazvadep em taksi nstum. I rarely take a taxi.
Ես երբեք մոտոցիկլով չեմ գնում։ Yes yerbek’ motots’iklov chem gnum. I never go by motorcycle. Pronunciation: k’ and ts’ are aspirated; ch is unaspirated.
Ես ոտքով եմ գնում։ Yes votk’ov em gnum. I go on foot. Pronunciation: k’ is aspirated.
Recognise “by bus” Try it

Which sentence says that the speaker often goes by bus?

Ես հաճախ ավտոբուսով եմ գնում։ Yes hachakh avtobusov em gnum. Pronunciation: kh is a strong throaty sound [x].
Ես երբեմն մետրոյով եմ գնում։ Yes yerbemn metroyov em gnum.
Ես հազվադեպ եմ տաքսի նստում։ Yes hazvadep em taksi nstum.
Retrieve “bicycle” Try it

Which word means “bicycle”?

հեծանիվ hetsaniv
գնացք gnats’k’ Pronunciation: ts’ and k’ are aspirated.
նավ nav

2. Describe a commute

A useful route description answers three questions: how you travel, in what order, and how long the journey takes.

A
Ինչպե՞ս ես գնում աշխատանքի։ Inch’pes es gnum ashkhatank’i? How do you get to work? Pronunciation: ch’ and k’ are aspirated; kh is a strong throaty sound [x].
B
Սկզբում ոտքով եմ գնում կանգառ։ Skzbum votk’ov em gnum kangar. First I walk to the stop. Pronunciation: k’ is aspirated.
B
Հետո տասը համարի ավտոբուսն եմ նստում։ Heto tasə hamari avtobusn em nstum. Then I take bus number ten. Pronunciation: ə is a short “uh”.
A
Որքա՞ն է տևում ճանապարհը։ Vork’an e tevvum chanaparhə? How long does the journey take? Pronunciation: k’ is aspirated; ch is unaspirated; ə is a short “uh”.
B
Մոտ քսան րոպե։ Mot k’san rope. About twenty minutes. Pronunciation: k’ is aspirated.
B
Վերջում հինգ րոպե քայլում եմ։ Verjum hing rope k’aylum em. At the end I walk for five minutes. Pronunciation: j is as in “jam”; k’ is aspirated.
Commute · first step Try it

What does the speaker do first?

Walks to the stop
Takes the metro
Takes a taxi
Ask about duration Try it

Which question asks how long the journey takes?

Որքա՞ն է տևում ճանապարհը։ Vork’an e tevvum chanaparhə? Pronunciation: k’ is aspirated; ch is unaspirated; ə is a short “uh”.
Ինչպե՞ս ես գնում աշխատանքի։ Inch’pes es gnum ashkhatank’i? Pronunciation: ch’ and k’ are aspirated; kh is a strong throaty sound [x].
Որտե՞ղ է կանգառը։ Vortegh e kangarə? Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty; ə is a short “uh”.

3. Ask for public-transport directions

Learn the route as a sequence: ask how to get there, take a line or bus, travel a number of stops, change if necessary, and get off.

Visitor
Կներեք, ինչպե՞ս հասնեմ հիվանդանոց։ Knerek’, inch’pes hasnem hivandanots’? Excuse me, how do I get to the hospital? Pronunciation: k’, ch’, and ts’ are aspirated.
Local
Նստեք հինգ համարի ավտոբուսը։ Nstek’ hing hamari avtobusə. Take bus number five. Pronunciation: k’ is aspirated; ə is a short “uh”.
Local
Երեք կանգառ գնացեք։ Yerek kangar gnats’ek’. Go three stops. Pronunciation: ts’ and k’ are aspirated.
Local
Կենտրոնում փոխեք գիծը։ Kentronum p’okhek’ gitsə. Change the line in the centre. Pronunciation: p’ and k’ are aspirated; kh is a strong throaty sound [x]; ts is unaspirated; ə is a short “uh”.
Visitor
Որտե՞ղ պետք է իջնեմ։ Vortegh petk’ e ijnem? Where should I get off? Pronunciation: gh and j are voiced; k’ is aspirated.
Local
Հաջորդ կանգառում իջեք։ Hajord kangarrum ijek’. Get off at the next stop. Pronunciation: j is as in “jam”; rr is rolled; k’ is aspirated.
Public transport · bus Try it

Which line tells the visitor to take bus number five?

Նստեք հինգ համարի ավտոբուսը։ Nstek’ hing hamari avtobusə. Pronunciation: k’ is aspirated; ə is a short “uh”.
Երեք կանգառ գնացեք։ Yerek kangar gnats’ek’. Pronunciation: ts’ and k’ are aspirated.
Հաջորդ կանգառում իջեք։ Hajord kangarrum ijek’. Pronunciation: j is as in “jam”; rr is rolled; k’ is aspirated.
Public transport · getting off Try it

Which question asks where the visitor should get off?

Որտե՞ղ պետք է իջնեմ։ Vortegh petk’ e ijnem? Pronunciation: gh and j are voiced; k’ is aspirated.
Կներեք, ինչպե՞ս հասնեմ հիվանդանոց։ Knerek’, inch’pes hasnem hivandanots’? Pronunciation: k’, ch’, and ts’ are aspirated.
Կենտրոնում փոխեք գիծը։ Kentronum p’okhek’ gitsə. Pronunciation: p’ and k’ are aspirated; kh is a strong throaty sound [x]; ts is unaspirated; ə is a short “uh”.

4. Where is it?

City directions also depend on relative position. Learn each location word inside a complete phrase so you can immediately use it with real places.

բանկի մոտ banki mot near the bank
սրճարանի դիմաց srcharani dimats’ opposite the café Pronunciation: ch is unaspirated; ts’ is aspirated.
խանութի կողքին khanut’i koghk’in next to the shop Pronunciation: kh is a strong throaty sound [x]; t’ and k’ are aspirated; gh is voiced and throaty.
այգու հետևում aygu hetevum behind the park
շենքի առջև shenki arrjev in front of the building Pronunciation: sh is as in “ship”; rr is rolled; j is as in “jam”.
ծառի տակ tsarri tak under the tree Pronunciation: ts is unaspirated; rr is rolled.
երկու շենքերի միջև yerku shenkeri mijev between two buildings Pronunciation: sh is as in “ship”; j is as in “jam”.
խանութի վերևում khanut’i verevum above the shop Pronunciation: kh is a strong throaty sound [x]; t’ is aspirated.
Կանգառը բանկի մոտ է։ Kangarə banki mot e. The stop is near the bank. Pronunciation: ə is a short “uh”.
Դեղատունը սրճարանի դիմաց է։ Deghatunə srcharani dimats’ e. The pharmacy is opposite the café. Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty; ə is a short “uh”; ch is unaspirated; ts’ is aspirated.
Review location and postpositions
Recognise “next to” Try it

Which phrase means “next to the shop”?

խանութի կողքին khanut’i koghk’in Pronunciation: kh is a strong throaty sound [x]; t’ and k’ are aspirated; gh is voiced and throaty.
այգու հետևում aygu hetevum
ծառի տակ tsarri tak Pronunciation: ts is unaspirated; rr is rolled.
Recognise “opposite” Try it

Which sentence says the pharmacy is opposite the café?

Դեղատունը սրճարանի դիմաց է։ Deghatunə srcharani dimats’ e. Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty; ə is a short “uh”; ch is unaspirated; ts’ is aspirated.
Կանգառը բանկի մոտ է։ Kangarə banki mot e. Pronunciation: ə is a short “uh”.
Խանութը այգու հետևում է։ Khanutə aygu hetevum e. Pronunciation: kh is a strong throaty sound [x]; ə is a short “uh”.

5. Give street directions

Now move from relative location to an actual route. The key chunks are straight, left, right, intersection, and which side the destination is on.

A
Կներեք, գրադարանը որտե՞ղ է։ Knerek’, gradaranə vortegh e? Excuse me, where is the library? Pronunciation: k’ is aspirated; ə is a short “uh”; gh is voiced and throaty.
B
Ուղիղ գնացեք մինչև առաջին խաչմերուկը։ Ughigh gnats’ek’ minch’ev arajin khach’merukə. Go straight to the first intersection. Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty; ts’, k’, and ch’ are aspirated; j is as in “jam”; kh is a strong throaty sound [x]; ə is a short “uh”.
B
Այնտեղ աջ թեքվեք։ Ayntegh aj t’ek’vek’. Turn right there. Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty; j is as in “jam”; t’ and k’ are aspirated.
B
Հետո անցեք փողոցը։ Heto ants’ek’ p’oghots’ə. Then cross the street. Pronunciation: ts’, k’, and p’ are aspirated; ə is a short “uh”.
B
Գրադարանը ձախ կողմում է։ Gradaranə dzakh koghmum e. The library is on the left. Pronunciation: ə is a short “uh”; dz is blended; kh and gh are throaty.
Directions · straight Try it

Which instruction tells the visitor to go straight to the first intersection?

Ուղիղ գնացեք մինչև առաջին խաչմերուկը։ Ughigh gnats’ek’ minch’ev arajin khach’merukə. Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty; ts’, k’, and ch’ are aspirated; j is as in “jam”; kh is a strong throaty sound [x]; ə is a short “uh”.
Այնտեղ աջ թեքվեք։ Ayntegh aj t’ek’vek’. Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty; j is as in “jam”; t’ and k’ are aspirated.
Հետո անցեք փողոցը։ Heto ants’ek’ p’oghots’ə. Pronunciation: ts’, k’, and p’ are aspirated; ə is a short “uh”.
Directions · destination side Try it

On which side is the library?

On the left
On the right
Behind the visitor

6. Allowed, not allowed, or required?

Permission is not the same as physical ability. For city rules, “kareli e” means something is allowed, “ch’i kareli” means it is not allowed, and “petk’ e” expresses what must be done.

Permission

Կարելի՞ է այստեղ կայանել։ Kareli e aystegh kayanel? Is it allowed to park here? Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty.
Այո, այստեղ կարելի է կայանել։ Ayo, aystegh kareli e kayanel. Yes, parking is allowed here. Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty.
Այստեղ չի կարելի կայանել։ Aystegh ch’i kareli kayanel. Parking is not allowed here. Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty; ch’ is aspirated.
Այստեղ կարելի է աջ թեքվել։ Aystegh kareli e aj t’ek’vel. It is allowed to turn right here. Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty; j is as in “jam”; t’ and k’ are aspirated.

Requirement / ability

Պետք է կանգնել։ Petk’ e kangnel. You must stop. Pronunciation: k’ is aspirated.
Պետք է աջ թեքվել։ Petk’ e aj t’ek’vel. You must turn right. Pronunciation: k’ and t’ are aspirated; j is as in “jam”.
Ես կարող եմ մեքենա վարել։ Yes karogh em mek’ena varel. I can drive a car. Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty; k’ is aspirated.
Ես չեմ կարող մեքենա վարել։ Yes chem karogh mek’ena varel. I cannot drive a car. Pronunciation: ch is unaspirated; gh is voiced and throaty; k’ is aspirated.
Ask permission Try it

Which question asks whether parking is allowed?

Կարելի՞ է այստեղ կայանել։ Kareli e aystegh kayanel? Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty.
Պետք է կանգնել։ Petk’ e kangnel. Pronunciation: k’ is aspirated.
Ես կարող եմ մեքենա վարել։ Yes karogh em mek’ena varel. Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty; k’ is aspirated.
Recognise a prohibition Try it

Which sentence says parking is not allowed?

Այստեղ չի կարելի կայանել։ Aystegh ch’i kareli kayanel. Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty; ch’ is aspirated.
Այո, այստեղ կարելի է կայանել։ Ayo, aystegh kareli e kayanel. Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty.
Պետք է աջ թեքվել։ Petk’ e aj t’ek’vel. Pronunciation: k’ and t’ are aspirated; j is as in “jam”.

7. Understand simple road signs

Treat signs as short instructions. Focus on the language they trigger: stop, speed limit, parking, direction, entry, and horn restrictions.

Կանգ առեք։ Kang arrek’. Stop. Pronunciation: rr is rolled; k’ is aspirated.
Արագության սահմանը 30 է։ Aragut’yan sahmanə yeresun e. The speed limit is 30. Pronunciation: t’ is aspirated; ə is a short “uh”.
Այստեղ կարելի է կայանել։ Aystegh kareli e kayanel. Parking is allowed here. Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty.
Այստեղ չի կարելի կայանել։ Aystegh ch’i kareli kayanel. Parking is not allowed here. Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty; ch’ is aspirated.
Այստեղ չի կարելի մտնել։ Aystegh ch’i kareli mtnel. Entry is not allowed here. Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty; ch’ is aspirated.
Միայն աջ։ Miayn aj. Right only. Pronunciation: j is as in “jam”.
Պետք է ուղիղ գնալ։ Petk’ e ughigh gnal. You must go straight. Pronunciation: k’ is aspirated; gh is voiced and throaty.
Չի կարելի ազդանշան տալ։ Ch’i kareli azdanshan tal. Using the horn is not allowed. Pronunciation: ch’ is aspirated; sh is as in “ship”.
Sign meaning · no entry Try it

Which sentence means that entry is not allowed?

Այստեղ չի կարելի մտնել։ Aystegh ch’i kareli mtnel. Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty; ch’ is aspirated.
Այստեղ կարելի է կայանել։ Aystegh kareli e kayanel. Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty.
Միայն աջ։ Miayn aj. Pronunciation: j is as in “jam”.
Sign meaning · straight Try it

Which instruction says that you must go straight?

Պետք է ուղիղ գնալ։ Petk’ e ughigh gnal. Pronunciation: k’ is aspirated; gh is voiced and throaty.
Կանգ առեք։ Kang arrek’. Pronunciation: rr is rolled; k’ is aspirated.
Չի կարելի ազդանշան տալ։ Ch’i kareli azdanshan tal. Pronunciation: ch’ is aspirated; sh is as in “ship”.

8. Visit someone: follow the route

A visit creates a natural reason to give directions. The address remains fictional; you only need to follow the sequence and recognise the landmarks.

A
Արի շաբաթ օրը։ Ari shabat’ orə. Come on Saturday. Pronunciation: t’ is aspirated; ə is a short “uh”.
B
Լավ։ Ինչպե՞ս հասնեմ քո տուն։ Lav. Inch’pes hasnem k’o tun? Okay. How do I get to your house? Pronunciation: ch’ and k’ are aspirated.
A
Կայարանից ուղիղ գնա։ Kayaranits’ ughigh gna. Go straight from the station. Pronunciation: ts’ is aspirated; gh is voiced and throaty.
A
Առաջին խաչմերուկում ձախ թեքվիր։ Arrajin khach’merukum dzakh t’ek’vir. Turn left at the first intersection. Pronunciation: rr is rolled; j is as in “jam”; kh is a strong throaty sound [x]; ch’, t’, and k’ are aspirated; dz is blended.
A
Իմ տունը հացի խանութի կողքին է։ Im tunə hats’i khanut’i koghk’in e. My house is next to the bakery. Pronunciation: ə is a short “uh”; ts’, t’, and k’ are aspirated; kh is a strong throaty sound [x]; gh is voiced and throaty.
A
Կայարանի դիմաց մեծ այգի կա։ Kayarani dimats’ mets aygi ka. There is a large park opposite the station. Pronunciation: ts’ is aspirated.
Visit route · turn Try it

Where should the visitor turn left?

At the first intersection
At the station
After the bakery
Visit route · landmark Try it

Where is the fictional house?

Next to the bakery
Behind the station
Inside the park

9. Ask where places are

Practise fast mini-dialogues around a fictional city centre. Sometimes the answer is a location; sometimes it becomes a short route.

Visitor
Կներեք, գրադարանը որտե՞ղ է։ Knerek’, gradaranə vortegh e? Excuse me, where is the library? Pronunciation: k’ is aspirated; ə is a short “uh”; gh is voiced and throaty.
Local
Կայարանի դիմաց է։ Kayarani dimats’ e. It is opposite the station. Pronunciation: ts’ is aspirated.
Visitor
Իսկ հիվանդանոցը՞։ Isk hivandanots’ə? And the hospital? Pronunciation: ts’ is aspirated; ə is a short “uh”.
Local
Այգու հետևում է։ Aygu hetevum e. It is behind the park.
Visitor
Ինչպե՞ս հասնեմ շուկա։ Inch’pes hasnem shuka? How do I get to the market? Pronunciation: ch’ is aspirated; sh is as in “ship”.
Local
Ուղիղ գնացեք, հետո երկրորդ փողոցից աջ թեքվեք։ Ughigh gnats’ek’, heto yerkrord p’oghots’its’ aj t’ek’vek’. Go straight, then turn right at the second street. Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty; ts’, k’, p’, and t’ are aspirated; j is as in “jam”.
City centre · library Try it

Where is the library?

Opposite the station
Behind the park
Next to the hospital
City centre · market Try it

Which instruction describes the route to the market?

Ուղիղ գնացեք, հետո երկրորդ փողոցից աջ թեքվեք։ Ughigh gnats’ek’, heto yerkrord p’oghots’its’ aj t’ek’vek’. Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty; ts’, k’, p’, and t’ are aspirated; j is as in “jam”.
Այգու հետևում է։ Aygu hetevum e.
Կայարանի դիմաց է։ Kayarani dimats’ e. Pronunciation: ts’ is aspirated.

10. Final city challenge

Combine transport, stops, walking directions, a landmark, and a rule. The route is fictional, so the challenge tests language rather than local geography.

Visitor
Կներեք, ինչպե՞ս հասնեմ կենտրոնական շուկա։ Knerek’, inch’pes hasnem kentronakan shuka? Excuse me, how do I get to the central market? Pronunciation: k’ and ch’ are aspirated; sh is as in “ship”.
Local
Նստեք տասներկու համարի ավտոբուսը։ Nstek’ tasnerku hamari avtobusə. Take bus number twelve. Pronunciation: k’ is aspirated; ə is a short “uh”.
Local
Չորս կանգառից հետո իջեք։ Ch’ors kangarits’ heto ijek’. Get off after four stops. Pronunciation: ch’, ts’, and k’ are aspirated; j is as in “jam”.
Local
Կանգառից ուղիղ գնացեք և առաջին խաչմերուկում աջ թեքվեք։ Kangarits’ ughigh gnats’ek’ yev arrajin khach’merukum aj t’ek’vek’. From the stop, go straight and turn right at the first intersection. Pronunciation: ts’, k’, ch’, and t’ are aspirated; gh is voiced and throaty; rr is rolled; j is as in “jam”; kh is a strong throaty sound [x].
Local
Շուկան բանկի կողքին է։ Shukan banki koghk’in e. The market is next to the bank. Pronunciation: sh is as in “ship”; k’ is aspirated; gh is voiced and throaty.
Visitor
Այստեղ կարելի՞ է մեքենա կայանել։ Aystegh kareli e mek’ena kayanel? Is it allowed to park a car here? Pronunciation: gh is voiced and throaty; k’ is aspirated.
Local
Ոչ, այստեղ չի կարելի կայանել։ Voch’, aystegh ch’i kareli kayanel. No, parking is not allowed here. Pronunciation: ch’ is aspirated; gh is voiced and throaty.
Final challenge · transport Try it

Which bus should the visitor take?

Bus 12
Bus 4
Bus 1
Final challenge · walking route Try it

What should the visitor do after getting off?

Go straight and turn right at the first intersection
Turn left immediately
Take the metro
Final challenge · parking Try it

Is parking allowed at the destination?

No
Yes
Speak without reading

One last production round

Use fictional information and answer these prompts aloud. Nothing needs to be entered or saved.

  1. Describe a fictional commute using at least two kinds of movement and say how long it takes.
  2. Create a public-transport route with a bus or metro, a number of stops, and a place to get off.
  3. Describe four fictional city locations using near, next to, opposite, behind, under, or between.
  4. Give a three-step walking route using straight, left or right, and an intersection.
  5. Create three fictional road rules: one thing that is allowed, one thing that is not allowed, and one thing that must be done.
  6. Create a short visitor-local conversation that combines transport, walking directions, a landmark, and a final location.
Words to memorize

Recall the core words before you finish

These are the most useful words from the lesson. Think of the answer first, reveal it, then tell the app whether you remembered it. Words marked “Again” return later in the same drill.

20 left Round 1
ավտոբուս avtobus bus
մետրո metro metro / subway
գնացք gnats’k’ train
մեքենա mek’ena car
հեծանիվ hetsaniv bicycle
ոտքով votk’ov on foot
կանգառ kangar stop / station stop
կայարան kayaran station
ճանապարհ chanaparh road / way / journey
փողոց p’oghots’ street
ուղիղ ughigh straight
ձախ dzakh left
աջ aj right
խաչմերուկ khach’meruk intersection
մոտ mot near
դիմաց dimats’ opposite / in front of
կողքին koghk’in next to
կայանել kayanel to park
կարելի է kareli e it is allowed / may
չի կարելի ch’i kareli it is not allowed
Say this in Eastern Armenian
Related practice

Review the building blocks

Location and postpositions Review near, in front of, behind, next to, between, and other place relationships. Ablative, instrumental, and locative Review travelling by a means of transport and moving from a place. Can, want, need, and must Review ability and obligation, then compare them with the permission patterns used in this lesson. Commands and polite requests Review polite route instructions such as go, turn, take, change, and get off. Question words Review where, how, how long, and other questions used when navigating the city. Essential conversation patterns Review high-value chunks for asking directions, asking permission, and handling short everyday exchanges.
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