մանկիկ
mankik
The English phrase "baby" is translated into Armenian using the default form մանկիկ (mankik). Wiktionary also lists երեխա (erexa) and մանուկ (manuk).
Meaning: very young human being (noun)
Ways to say it
| Armenian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| մանկիկ | mankik | |
| երեխա | erexa | /jeɾeˈχɑ/ (Eastern Armenian) /jeɾeˈχɑ/ (Western Armenian) |
| մանուկ | manuk | /mɑˈnuk/ (Eastern Armenian) /mɑˈnuɡ/ (Western Armenian) |
The words used to describe a very young human being range from neutral everyday terms to affectionate diminutive forms and formal literary expressions.
Which one should you use?
երեխա is the most common and neutral term for a child or a baby, covering any age from infancy through early childhood. մանկիկ is a diminutive form often used to specifically mean a very small baby or to sound more affectionate. մանուկ is a more formal or literary term often used in poetry or formal writing to refer to an infant.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the form երեխա, you can add the suffix –ն to create the definite form երեխան, which means "the baby" or "the child".
How do you pronounce it?
mankik
Did you know?
- While երեխա is the neutral word for a child, Armenians often use the word փոքրիկ meaning 'little one' as a primary way to address a baby directly.
- The formal term մանուկ is frequently used in religious texts and hymns to refer to the Christ Child.
- Because մանկիկ is so affectionate, using it for a person who is no longer a baby can actually be a way of teasing them or treating them like a darling.
Examples in context
- Մենք երեխա ենք սպասում։We are expecting a baby.This sentence shows how to use երեխա when talking about expecting a baby.Tatoeba #10722157 by vahanm, translation #852918 by piksea
- Երեխան լացեց մինչև քնելը:The baby cried herself to sleep.This sentence shows how to use երեխա when describing a baby's behavior.Tatoeba #4867477 by venticello, translation #272324 by CK
Example conversation
Lilian and Tigran are looking at a photo of a newborn.
- Լիլիան LilianՆայիր, ինչ լուրբ մանկիկ է:Nayir, inch lurp mankik e!Look, what a sweet baby!
- Տիգրան TigranԻրոք, աչքերը շատ մեծ են:Irok, achkere shat mets en!Indeed, the eyes are very big.
- Լիլիան LilianՄանկիկը նման է իր հորը:Mankiky nman e ir hore!The baby looks like his father.
- Տիգրան TigranԱյո, շատ նման է:Ayo, shat nman e!Yes, very similar.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “baby” translations and entries երեխա, մանուկ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
