սար
sar/sɑɾ/
The English word 'mountain' can be translated into Armenian as սար (sar) or լեռ.
Meaning: large mass of earth and rock (noun)
Ways to say it
| Armenian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| սար | sar | /sɑɾ/ (Eastern Armenian) /sɑɾ/ (Western Armenian) |
| լեռ | leṙ | /ler/ (Eastern Armenian) /leɾ/ (Western Armenian) |
Both words describe a large mass of earth and rock, but they are used in different contexts. լեռ is the geographical term used for specific, named peaks or major mountain ranges. սար is more descriptive and is used to refer to natural elevations, mounds or hills and it is also the form used in idiomatic expressions.
Which one should you use?
The choice between the two forms depends on whether you are being geographical or descriptive. Use լեռ when discussing significant mountains or mountain ranges. Use սար when describing a mound, a hill or a smaller mountain and when using colloquial speech.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of սար is /sɑɾ/. The [s] sound is like the 's' in 'sip' and the [ɑ] sound is like the 'a' in 'lava'.
Did you know?
- The word սար is used metaphorically to describe a huge quantity of objects, such as 'a mountain of laundry'.
- Armenians use the word լեռ to refer to Mount Ararat, the national symbol, even though it is no longer within the borders of Armenia.
- In Armenian poetry and certain literary styles, using the word սար to describe a massive, snow-capped peak creates a more rugged, organic feeling than the formal լեռ.
Examples in context
- Ես սարի վրա էի։I was on the mountain.This sentence uses սար to indicate a location on top of the mountain.Tatoeba #10762996 by vahanm, translation #757390 by sctld
- Լուն ուղտ մի՛ սարքիր։Don't make a mountain out of a molehill.This sentence uses սար as part of an idiom about making a mountain out of a molehill.Tatoeba #13721357 by Proxima5, translation #799015 by U2FS
- Ո՞րն է Ճապոնիայի ամենամեծ լեռը:What is the largest mountain in Japan?This sentence uses լեռ to ask about a specific major mountain in Japan.Tatoeba #12794256 by Proxima5, translation #1505498 by somekinda
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lilian and Artash are looking at a landscape photo.
- Լիլիան LilianԱյս սարը շատ բարձր է:Ays sare shat bardzr e:This mountain is very high.
- Արտաշ ArtashԱյո, այն իսկական հսկա է:Ayo, ayn iskakan hska e:Yes, it is a real giant.
- Լիլիան LilianԿուզենայի բարձրանալ այդ սարի գագաթին:Kuzenayi bardzranal ayd sari gagatin:I would like to climb to the peak of that mountain.
- Արտաշ ArtashԴա շատ դժվար կլինի, Լիլիան:Da shat dzhvar klini, Lilian:That will be very difficult, Lilian.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mountain” translations and entries սար, լեռ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
