շնորհավոր
šnorhavor/ʃ(ə)noɾ(h)ɑˈvoɾ/
The English word "congratulations" is translated into Armenian as շնորհավոր (šnorhavor).
The phrase is used to express approbation. While the base form is often used as a shorthand for "congratulations", it also functions as an adjective meaning "blessed" or "gracious".
Meaning: expressing approbation (intj)
Which one should you use?
The base form շնորհավոր is often used as a shorthand, whereas the more complete verbal forms like շնորհավորում եմ (I congratulate you) are standard for expressing the sentiment in a sentence.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "I congratulate [you]", use the form շնորհավորում եմ. If you are congratulating someone on behalf of a group, use the plural verb form շնորհավորում ենք, which means "We congratulate [you]". The base form շնորհավոր can function as an adjective meaning "blessed" or "gracious".
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ʃ(ə)noɾ(h)ɑˈvoɾ/. The sounds are similar to the English words [sh]ip for /ʃ/, [a]gain for /ə/, [n]est for /n/, [h]ot for /h/, l[a]va for /ɑ/ and [v]an for /v/.
Did you know?
- In Armenian culture, շնորհավոր is commonly used for birthdays, weddings and anniversaries, but it is also the standard way to wish someone a 'Happy New Year' (Շնորհավոր Նոր տարի).
- The root of շնորհավոր is the noun շնորհ, which means 'grace' or 'favor'. To congratulate someone is etymologically to wish them 'grace-filled' moments.
- Because շնորհավոր means 'blessed', saying it to someone is less about praising their hard work and more about acknowledging the favor or luck they have received.
Examples in context
- Շնորհավորու՜մ եմ:Congratulations!This sentence is useful for showing the use of the form շնորհավոր in a congratulatory exclamation.Tatoeba #4861959 by venticello, translation #1437 by CK
- Շնորհավոր նոր տարին:Shnorhavor nor tarin:Happy New Year.
- Շնորհավոր ծննդյանդ տոնը:Shnorhavor tsnndyand tone:Congratulations on your birthday.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lilian is congratulating Artash on his new job.
- Լիլիան LilianՇնորհավոր աշխատանքի ընդունվելը, Արտաշ:Shnorhavor ashkhatanki endunvel-e, Artash:Congratulations on getting the job, Artash!
- Արտաշ ArtashՇնորհակալություն, Լիլիան:Shnorhakalutyun, Lilian:Thank you, Lilian!
- Լիլիան LilianԴու արժանի էիր դրան:Du arzhani eyir dran:You deserved it.
- Արտաշ ArtashՇատ շնորհակալ եմ:Shat shnorhakal em:I am very grateful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “congratulations” translations and entries շնորհավոր, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries շնորհավոր, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
