AskaciHappy birthday in Armenian, and every holiday wish
Birthdays, New Year, Christmas on January 6, Easter: every Armenian celebration has its phrase. Here are the wishes to know, with audio and the traditional reply.
Almost every Armenian wish relies on a single word: շնորհավոր (shnorhavor), “congratulations”. Just put it before or after whatever you’re celebrating.
Happy birthday
- Ծնունդդ շնորհավոր Tsnundd shnorhavor Happy birthday (“congratulations on your birth”)You’ll also hear the reverse order: “Շնորհավոր ծնունդդ”.Western : Ծնունդդ շնորհաւոր (Dznuntt shnorhavor)
- Շնորհավոր Shnorhavor Congratulations
- Շնորհավոր տոնդ Shnorhavor tond Happy holiday, happy name day
- Կենաց Kenats Cheers! (for a toast)At the table, toasts are an art: glasses are raised to everyone’s health.
New Year and Christmas
In Armenia, New Year is the biggest celebration of the year, spent with family around a generous table. Christmas falls on January 6 in the Armenian Apostolic Church, which celebrates the Nativity and the Baptism of Christ on the same day.
- Շնորհավոր Նոր տարի Shnorhavor Nor tari Happy New YearWestern : Շնորհաւոր Նոր Տարի (Shnorhavor Nor Dari)
- Շնորհավոր Սուրբ Ծնունդ Shnorhavor Surb Tsnund Merry Christmas
- Քրիստոս ծնավ և հայտնեցավ Kristos tsnav yev haytnetsav Christ is born and revealed (Christmas greeting)
- Ձեզ և մեզ մեծ ավետիս Dzez yev mez mets avetis Reply: great good news to you and to us
Easter (Zatik)
At Easter, Զատիկ (Zatik), people greet each other with a phrase in Classical Armenian, the same in every community, then tap red-dyed eggs against each other.
- Զատիկ Zatik Easter
- Քրիստոս յարեաւ ի մեռելոց Kristos haryav i merelots Christ is risen from the dead
- Օրհնեալ է յարութիւնն Քրիստոսի Orhnyal e harutyunn Kristosi Reply: blessed is the resurrection of Christ
Other useful wishes
- Բարի ախորժակ Bari akhorzhak Enjoy your meal
- Հաջողություն Hajoghutyun Good luck
- Շնորհավորում եմ Shnorhavorum em I congratulate you
Frequently asked questions
How do you say happy birthday in Armenian?
Say “Ծնունդդ շնորհավոր” (tsnundd shnorhavor), literally “congratulations on your birth”.
When do Armenians celebrate Christmas?
On January 6: the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Nativity and the Baptism of Christ that day. People say “Շնորհավոր Սուրբ Ծնունդ” (shnorhavor Surb Tsnund).
How do you say happy new year in Armenian?
“Շնորհավոր Նոր տարի” (shnorhavor Nor tari).