Stronger than “I love you”

In Armenian, tenderness has its own words, and people say them every day.

“Tsavt tanem” means, word for word, “let me take your pain”. People say it to those they love: a child, a friend, a sweetheart.

“Hokis” means “my soul”. And “jan” comes after a name or a tender word: mama jan, Ani jan.

Did you know? “Jan” comes from Persian, where it means “soul” or “life”.

Words to listen to

Romanization	Armenian	Meaning
Tsavt tanem	Ցավդ տանեմ	word for word: “let me take your pain”
hokis	հոգիս	my soul
jan	ջան	dear (after a name)
mama jan	մամա ջան	dear mum
kyanks	կյանքս	my life

Tap a row’s button to hear the word. Romanization and audio come from the app (Eastern Armenian).