Growing up in a Lebanese Armenian household that predominantly spoke Armenian, we were taught many life lessons through common proverbs.
Some Armenian proverbs are slightly comical, while others apply to more serious situations. There are ones that are perfect for times of happiness, and others for dealing with frustrations. Some are relevant to huge life decisions, and then some are related to minor daily activities. Bottom line, these proverbs, whether major or minor, hold truth in them and remain some of the pivotal life lessons that I have taken with me from both my grandparents and parents.
For reference, the Armenian in the article is Western Armenian and not Eastern. Click here to know What Is The Difference Between Eastern and Western Armenian?
Let’s Sit Crooked and Talk Straight
Armenian Transliteration: Dzoor Nsdink Shidag Khosink
Armenian Alphabet: ծուռ նստինք շիտակ խոսինք
This is used as a prelude to a delivery of an uncomfortable truth. A figure of speech where you don’t actually have to sit crooked, but you have to speak the truth.
Measure Ten Times and Cut Once
Armenian Transliteration: Dase Chape, Meg Gdre
Armenian Alphabet: Տասը չափէ, մէկ կտրէ
Don’t make your decisions on a whim. Be careful in preparation, to avoid eventual errors or regrets. When you are about to make a decision in your life, big or small, make sure you do your calculations, research and whatever else that applies prior to going forth with it. For example, if you are house hunting consider all the options and information, before purchasing the house you want.
Sweet Words Can Seduce A Snake Out of its Nest
Armenian Transliteration: Anoush lezoun Otse Dzagen Toors Ge Hane
Armenian Alphabet: անուշ լեզուն օձը ծակէն դուրս կը հանէ
Kinds words can convince someone to come around to what you are saying. It is all about your choice of words and the delivery of your speech.
The Tongue Has No Bones
Armenian Transliteration: lezoun vosgor chouni
Armenian Alphabet: լեզուն ոսկոր չ’ունի
The tongue has no bones; therefore, it is easy for it to move. That is, it is easy for people to speak and imply that it is gossip. This is aimed directly at people who are gossiping, or to refute a story as false and a gossip. Moreover, this Armenian proverb is also used to advise someone against doing something that might lead to others gossiping about them.
You Can’t Clap With a Single Hand
Armenian Transliteration: Meg Tserke Dzap Chi Dzaper
Armenian Alphabet: Մէկ ձեռքը ծափ չի ծափեր
This Armenian proverb is another way of stating that “It takes two to Tango”. It is to put emphasis on team-work, and to assert that in unity there is power. This one is used to encourage people to join efforts to achieve of a common goal.
He Who Speaks a Lot Learns Little
Armenian Transliteration: Shad khosoghe kitch ge sorvi
Armenian Alphabet: շատ խօսողը, քիչ կը սորվի
This Armenian proverb somewhat resembles the English one of “Silence is Golden”. It is a life advice that encourages to listen more than you speak. And those who listen more are usually the ones who learn and know more. That is why when you are in a room full of people, you will find that the quiet ones are considered the more knowledgeable ones.
You Harvest Whatever You Plant
Armenian Transliteration: Inch G Tsanes, Ayn Ge Hentses
Armenian Alphabet: ինչ կը ցանես, այն կը հնձես
If you plant good seeds, they will grow into great things. Meaning, putting positive effort into something will definitely lead to a yielding positive results. In contrast, putting zero or negative effort into something will lead to bad results. For example, instances of good or bad parenting can be referenced with this Armenian proverb.
You Are as Many Languages as You Know
Armenian Transliteration: Kani Lezou Kides, Aytkan Mart Es
Armenian Alphabet: քանի լեզու գիտես, այդքան մարդ ես
This is my grandma’s favorite Armenian proverb. The more languages you know, the better person you are. That is, the better and more aquatinted with the global community you are. Also, the more opportunities you have to connect with people from different standpoints and cultures.
Whatever is Written on Your Forehead Will Happen
Armenian Transliteration: Jagadit kervadze bidi ella
Armenian Alphabet: ճակատիդ գրուածը պիտի ըլլայ
This Armenian proverb is my personal favorite. Fate in Armenian is Jagadakir (ճակատագիր). A composite word of forehead and writing. So, you cannot erase what is written on your forehead, that is, you can’t really change your destiny as your fate is predetermined.
Say Yes then Wipe it on the Wall
Armenian Transliteration: Ha Ese, Bade Kse
Armenian Alphabet: հա ըսէ, պատը քսէ
This Armenian proverb is more of a rhyme and a slightly comical one, but it can be used as advice to avoid conflict. It implies to go along with what someone is saying, even if you disagree with what is being said. The part where you wipe it on the wall is implying to just forget about it.
In short, just say yes to the person’s face to avoid conflict, and forget about what was said by wiping it on the wall.
Keep Your Door Locked to Avoid Accusing your Neighbor of Theft
Armenian Transliteration: Toort kots bahe, tratsit kogh mi haner
Armenian Alphabet: Դուոդ գոց պահէ, դրացիդ գող մի հաներ
This is a broad but commonly used Armenian proverb. Its most frequent use is to highlight the importance of privacy and not involving others in your personal matters. If you share all your secrets and information, then you will only have yourself to blame if somebody else misuses it.
This one is similar to the English proverb of “don’t air your dirty laundry in public.”
If You Spit On His Face, He’ll Say It’s Raining
Armenian Transliteration: Yeresin Tkes, Gse Gantsreve
Armenian Alphabet: երեսը թքես, կ՛ըէ կ՛անձրեւէ
Armenians use this proverb to describe shameless people. It denotes that there is no point in talking to somebody who is senseless and shameless. So, if you accuse an ignorant person of their wrongdoings, they will continue their life unaffected and you will find out that your words were in vain.
So, there goes our list of our favorite Armenian proverbs. With its rich culture and history, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of other Armenian proverbs that we missed. If you know of any that isn’t on the list or have particular favorites, then let us know in the comments below!
Such amazing Armenian proverbs that I never knew about! You gotta love that last one, but “He who speaks a lot learns little” speaks so much truth!
Loved reading this ive learned so much
Interesting list of proverbs, Thanks for sharing!
I learned so many American proverbs in this post – I can’t understand the translated words but it’s nice to discover these American proverbs. Especially “You Can’t Clap With a Single Hand” ~ this got me nodding! 🙂
This is so interesting to read. I love learning more about different cultures and local communities!
These are so interesting! I love that you provided the transliterations, although I’m sure I still butchered the ones I tried.
So interesting!
So funny and inspiring. I speak a couple of languages and each has a variety of fun proverbs. I always miss them when speaking another language – since they express certain things so precisely – you cannot just translate them.
Brilliant. Love these. “The Tongue Has No Bones” … I was intrigued to read the explanation. I also have to agree with your Grandmother about languages. I grew up in Australia only speaking English, but when I lived in Vietnam for a time I learned the local language and this enriched my time there very much (and continues to do so). I’m in Cyprus as the moment … I’m taking Greek lessons.
Wow these are very cool, I have always grown up saying things like this as “southernisums” here in Georgia but these are great!
What a great post! It’s so interesting to learn about different cultures and the life lessons that they pass down to their children. I really enjoyed learning about these Armenian proverbs 🙂
My fav is your fav “whatever is written on your forehead will happen”. I believe this too!! Thanks for sharing. I loved reading them all.
Love these proverbs! good stuff!
I find the Armenian language so beautiful, I loved reading these little pieces of wisdom! Thank you for sharing them x
Wow! I’ve learned so much. These are really interesting proverbs. It’s amazing how different cultures pass across words of wisdom. I really enjoyed reading this. I probably may end up using them too. Haha!