Learning a new alphabet can seem overwhelming, but with the Armenian script, you are also stepping into a culture with a written tradition over 1,600 years old. This guide explains the Armenian alphabet, from its history to tips for reading and writing, so you can start using this special system confidently.
Maybe you are interested in Armenian culture, want to understand its history better, or love the challenge of picking up a new language. In all cases, learning the Armenian script is your first important step. The script’s regular way of matching letters to sounds and its unique shapes make it approachable, though it may look unfamiliar at first. Let’s get started and take a closer look at the Armenian alphabet!
What Is the Armenian Script?
The Armenian script is the writing system used for the Armenian language. It is an important symbol of Armenian identity and helps keep Armenian culture alive. What sets it apart from other scripts is that we know exactly who invented it and when-it was created for the Armenian language and, sometimes, was used for others like Turkish (Armeno-Turkish) and Kurdish. Its one-of-a-kind look makes it different from scripts like Latin or Cyrillic.
History and Origins
The Armenian alphabet did not slowly develop over time-it was invented deliberately in 405 AD by Mesrop Mashtots, an Armenian monk and scholar. Before this, Armenians sometimes wrote their language using scripts like Greek, Persian, or Syriac, but none of these fit well. Mashtots wanted a writing system that matched Armenian speech, so important religious texts and other works could be written down and shared.
Mashtots’s new script was a major achievement. The first sentence ever written with it was from the Bible: “To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding.” After creating the alphabet, Mashtots founded schools across Armenia to teach it and encourage the translation of classic Greek works. Unlike many other scripts, which changed bit by bit and have no known inventor, the Armenian alphabet stands out as the achievement of one person.
Key Features
The Armenian script is a system where each letter usually stands for a single sound. This makes learning to read and pronounce Armenian easier once you know the letters. Armenian is written left to right, like English, and every letter has both a capital and lowercase form.
Originally, the alphabet had 36 letters. In the Middle Ages, two more (օ and ֆ) were added for foreign sounds, making 38. In the 1920s, the ligature և (ev) was officially made a letter, so now there are 39 letters. Unlike some other scripts, all vowels are always fully written, which helps make reading easy once you know the alphabet.
Why Learn the Armenian Script?
Learning the Armenian script is not just about studying a set of symbols. It lets you access Armenian literature and history, and it gives you a deeper understanding of Armenian culture.
For anyone starting to learn Armenian, knowing its alphabet is the most important starting place. It provides the foundation for all reading, writing, and speaking you will do in the language.
Cultural and Language Importance
The Armenian script is closely connected to Armenian culture and identity. It has protected the Armenian language and traditions for over 1,600 years, even during foreign invasions and difficult times. While some scripts have changed a lot over centuries, the Armenian alphabet has stayed much the same. This helps generations stay connected, and learning the script brings you closer to the Armenian people and their history.
Today and in the Past
The Armenian alphabet is the official writing system in Armenia today and is used by Armenians around the world. It appears in books, newspapers, schools, and everyday communication. Despite the rise of computers and smartphones, Armenian script remains a normal part of daily life.
In the past, Armenian letters were also used to write other languages, especially in multi-lingual communities. Many old manuscripts are in this script, and the alphabet is recognized by UNESCO as part of world heritage. The alphabet is present everywhere from carved stones on ancient churches to modern computer screens.
How Is the Armenian Alphabet Structured?
The Armenian alphabet is organized in a logical way, making it easier than it might seem. Understanding how many letters there are, what they are called, and their order, helps you get started more easily. Also, knowing the differences between Eastern and Western Armenian, the two main ways Armenian is spoken and written, is important for correct pronunciation.
Number of Letters and Their Names
The modern Armenian alphabet has 39 letters-31 consonants and 7 vowels-designed to show every sound in Armenian. Each letter has a name that often hints at its sound. For example, the first letter, Ա (capital) / ա (small), is called “Ayb” (Eastern) or “Ayp” (Western), and the second, Բ / բ, is “Ben” or “Pen.” These names help with learning and remembering.
The alphabet started with 36 letters, then gained two (օ and ֆ) for foreign sounds, and later the ligature և (ev). Now there are 39 letters, showing the script has been able to change when needed.
Letter Order and Types
The letters follow a set order, beginning with Ա (Ayb) and ending with Ք (Qeh). This order was carefully chosen, partly for religious reasons, with the first and last letters representing “God” and “Christ”. Letters are divided into vowels and consonants.
Some consonants are grouped by whether or not they are pronounced with a puff of air (aspirated). This detail is shown in the script, unlike English, where it is not marked.
| Letter Type | Number of Letters | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Vowels | 7 | Fully written, each with a single letter |
| Consonants | 31 | Include aspirated/unaspirated pairs |
| Ligature (և) | 1 (now a separate letter) | Joined “yech” and “vyun” |
Eastern vs. Western Armenian
Both dialects use the same alphabet, but they pronounce certain letters differently and may have some different words and rules. Eastern Armenian is used in Armenia and former Soviet states, while Western Armenian is more common in the Armenian diaspora, like in the US or Europe. The difference is a bit like the one between British and American English-understandable to each other, but with differences in sound.
For example, the letter Բ is “b” in Eastern but “p” in Western Armenian, and Գ is “g” versus “k”. Once you learn to read, you can adapt your pronunciation for the dialect you study.
How to Read and Write Armenian Letters: Step-by-Step
Reading and writing in Armenian is about more than memorizing symbols. You need to learn each letter’s sound, see patterns, and practice writing by hand. The following sections break this process down, focusing on vowels, consonants, and handwriting habits.
Vowels: Sounds and Letters
There are 7 main vowels in Armenian. All are shown with their own letters, making reading easier after you learn them. Here are the common vowels:
- Ա / ա (Ayb/Ayp): “a” as in “father”
- Ե / ե (Yech): “e” as in “bed”, or “ye” as in “yes” at the start of a word
- Է / է (Ēh): “e” as in “get”
- Ի / ի (Ini): “i” as in “machine”
- Ո / ո (Vo): “o” as in “go”, or “vo” as in “vote” at the start
- Ու / ու (U): “oo” as in “moon” (written as two letters but acts as one sound)
- Օ / օ (Ōh): “o” as in “more” (added later for foreign words)
- Ը / ը (Ut`): like the “a” in “about” (schwa sound)
Practice these daily by writing and saying them out loud to help memorize the letter and its sound together.
Consonants: Sounds and Practice
Armenian has 31 consonants, some of which sound different from English. Armenian also clearly marks pairs of consonants by whether they are pronounced with or without extra breath (aspirated). For example:
- Տ (Tiun): unaspirated “t” as in “stop”
- Թ (T`o): aspirated “t” as in “top”
- Պ (Peh): unaspirated “p”
- Փ (P`iur): aspirated “p”
- Խ / խ (Xeh): “kh” as in “loch” (guttural sound)
- Ղ / ղ (Głat): deep rolled “g” not found in English
- Ռ / ռ (Rra) vs. Ր / ր (Reh): two “r” sounds, one trilled and one tapped
Once you learn the sounds, words usually sound just like they are spelled. Using audio files, songs, and native speaker recordings helps make sure you get these sounds right. Practice often and do not worry if some sounds are hard at first.
Writing by Hand: Stroke Order and Styles
How you write the letters matters, especially as Armenian handwriting is different from print. Learning the correct stroke order helps your writing look clear and neat, and saves time.
There are four main styles of Armenian writing: Erkatagir (block letters), Bolorgir (rounded, used in books), Notrgir (fast script), and Sheghagir (slanted, often used by hand). Beginners should start with print lowercase letters first and regular practice will help get used to their shapes.
Numbers, Punctuation, and Symbols in Armenian
To fully use Armenian, you should know how to use numbers and punctuation correctly. Modern Armenian uses regular (Arabic) numbers, but the alphabet once doubled as a number system. Punctuation marks are also a little different from English.
Numbers and Letter-Number Values
Each letter once stood for a number. The first nine letters meant 1-9, the next nine were 10-90, the next group were 100-900, and so on. For high numbers, a line was drawn over the relevant letters. Although today normal numbers (0, 1, 2, etc.) are used, knowing this old system helps if you look at older books or inscriptions.
| Range | Value |
|---|---|
| Ա – Թ | 1-9 |
| Ժ – Ղ | 10-90 |
| Ճ – Ռ | 100-900 |
| Ս – Ք | 1000-9000 |
Common Punctuation
- « » : Quotation marks, similar to French
- , : Comma, as in English
- ՝ : A mark like a comma but higher-used like a semicolon
- ․ : A single dot, like a colon
- ։ : Full stop for the end of a sentence, looks like two dots stacked
- ՜ : Exclamation mark, above the word
- ՛ : Accent for emphasis, above the vowel
- ՞ : Question mark, also above the vowel
Using the right punctuation is important for both reading and writing proper Armenian.
Symbols and Special Letters
There are a few special signs, most of which appear in older writings. The letter և (ev) is a combined version of two other letters and is now seen as its own letter. Other marks include the Armenian hyphen ֊ and the abbreviation sign ՟ (not used much today). Recent symbols include the Armenian dram sign (֏) and eternity signs (֍, ֎), which have all been added to modern character sets like Unicode.
Typing and Using Armenian Digitally
Today, typing Armenian on computers and smartphones is common and straightforward. There are special Armenian keyboard layouts, and modern systems make it easy to use the script.
Keyboard Layouts
The easiest way to type in Armenian is to use the phonetic keyboard layout, which matches many Armenian letters to nearby English keys. For example, “A” types “Ա”, “B” types “Բ”, and so on. Since there are more Armenian letters than English, some have to go on other keys, like punctuation. Most computers let you turn this layout on easily in your settings.
Unicode and Digital Text
Unicode is the modern standard that lets Armenian script show up the same way everywhere online or in documents. Armenian was added to Unicode in 1991, which means almost all new apps and websites can display Armenian correctly. If you see strange symbols, check that Unicode is in use and that your computer or phone is set up properly.
Mistakes to Watch for When Learning Armenian Script
Learning any alphabet includes some common mistakes. Knowing these ahead of time helps you avoid them and make better progress.
Similar Letters and Pronunciation Traps
- Letters that look alike: Some, like Տ and Ր, can be mixed up easily. Showing them next to each other and practicing often helps.
- Aspirated and unaspirated pairs: Armenian marks these differences, but English does not, so it’s easy to mix them up. Practicing the sounds separately is important.
- Unusual sounds: Guttural or rolled consonants like Խ and Ղ may be hard at first. Try copying native speakers and record yourself.
- Different dialects: Stick to one dialect for pronunciation. Some letters sound different in Eastern and Western Armenian, so don’t mix rules between them.
Punctuation and Ligature Errors
- Using English punctuation: Many people insert English-style quotes or full stops, but Armenian uses its own symbols. Learn these early for correct writing.
- Missing accent or question marks: Forgoing above-line marks changes the meaning or feeling of a sentence. Use them for clear writing.
- Forgetting ligature letters: The letter և should be used as a single letter. Mistaking it for two is a common error, especially in older texts with more ligatures.
Useful Tools and Practice for Learning Armenian Script
Becoming good at reading and writing Armenian letters comes with regular practice and the right materials. Choose methods that fit your learning style and keep at it every day for the best results.
Workbooks and Online Practice
Workbooks help you practice each letter, showing you how to write them, in what order, and giving space to repeat and memorize. Materials like the “Armenian Reading and Writing Workbook Bundle” from Tun Online Armenian School give step-by-step lessons, drills, and exercises that you can use as much as you need.
Many websites and apps also offer practice through games, flashcards, and quizzes. Some online classes, like the “Armenian Reading and Writing Masterclass Series” by Tun Online, have video lessons and digital worksheets. Look for tools that have sound so you can repeat after a native speaker when you learn each letter.
Practicing with Native Speakers
Talking to or taking lessons from a native speaker is one of the best ways to learn. A teacher can catch mistakes, help you with hard sounds, and give you plenty of real-life practice. Websites that connect you to Armenian tutors offer personalized help, and even just simple conversations help reinforce your skills.
Reading Armenian Texts and Media
Once you can read the letters, look for simple books, children’s stories, or short news articles in Armenian. Reading these aloud helps with both letter recognition and building vocabulary. Armenian music, movies, and subtitles are also helpful, as is looking at real-world Armenian writing, such as signs or maps. Short, daily sessions will help more than occasional long ones.
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