Ways to say it
| Armenian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| թանկագին | tʻankagin | |
| սիրելի | sireli | /siɾeˈli/ (Eastern Armenian) /siɾeˈli/ (Western Armenian) |
Armenian uses different words for 'dear' depending on whether you are expressing affection for a person or describing something of great value. սիրելի is a common term of endearment used in direct address to someone you love or are close to, much like 'honey' or 'darling' in English. In contrast, թանկագին is used to describe something precious or valuable and it also appears in more formal contexts.
What does it mean word for word?
The word սիրելի is built from the root սեր, meaning 'love' and the suffix -ելի, which means '-able' or '-ed', literally meaning 'beloved' or 'dear'.
Which one should you use?
While both words can be translated as 'dear', թանկագին carries a sense of high value, meaning 'precious' or 'valuable' and is often used for items or in formal writing. սիրելի is the standard choice for personal affection and describing someone you are close to.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can create the possessive form 'my dear' by adding the suffix -իս to սիրելի, resulting in սիրելիս.
How do you pronounce it?
tʻankagin
When do people say it?
When expressing deep intimacy or affection between romantic partners or very close friends, speakers may use Սիրտիկ, which literally means 'little heart'.
Did you know?
- In professional Armenian letters, Հարգելի meaning 'respectful' is used instead of սիրելի to maintain a balance of warmth and distance.
- Armenian speakers often use kinship terms as endearments for strangers or friends, expanding the way 'dear' is expressed beyond the words սիրելի and թանկագին.
- The word թանկագին shares the same root as the Armenian word for 'expensive'. This mirrors the English use of 'dear' to describe something that costs a lot of money.
Examples in context
- Ի՞նչ է դա, սիրելիս:What is it, my dear?This sentence shows how to use սիրելի.Tatoeba #13220556 by Proxima5, translation #9189233 by CK
- Անունդ ի՞նչ է, սիրելիս։What is your name, dear?Tatoeba #13364299 by Proxima5, translation #11473389 by CK
- Ա՜խ, շնորհակալ եմ, սիրելիս։Ah, I thank you, my dear.Tatoeba #13220555 by Proxima5, translation #1807904 by Ameer
- Հարգելի Հովհաննես, Շնորհավորում եմ Ձեզ Նոր Տարին։Dear Hovhannes, I wish you a Happy New Year.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Tigran is giving a gift to Ani.
- Տիգրան TigranՍա քեզ համար է, թանկագինս:Sa kez hamar e, thankagins:This is for you, my dear.
- Անի AniՇնորհակալություն, Տիգրան:Shnorhakalutyun, Tigran:Thank you, Tigran.
- Տիգրան TigranՀուսով եմ՝ դուր կգա:Husov em՝ dur kga:I hope you will like it.
- Անի AniԴու շատ բարի ես:Du shat bari es:You are very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dear” translations and entries սիրելի, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
