ցավակցում եմ
tsavaktsum em
To say "my condolences" in Armenian, use ցավակցում եմ (tsavaktsum em).
This phrase is used to express sympathy to someone who has experienced the death of a loved one.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, it means "I am joining [my] pain [to yours]".
Which one should you use?
While ցավակցում եմ is the standard expression, you can add the pronoun ձեզ (dzez), meaning "to you" (formal/plural), to form ցավակցում եմ ձեզ. This version makes the phrase more complete and polite when addressing someone directly.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ցավակցում եմ is the standard, respectful way to express condolences in both formal and polite settings.
How do you pronounce it?
tsavaktsum em
Did you know?
- While ցավակցում եմ is common, Armenians often avoid using the word 'death' directly when offering sympathy, preferring phrases that focus on the 'departure' or 'loss' of the person.
- In many Armenian communities, this phrase is often accompanied by a specific, solemn tone and a physical gesture such as a light touch on the arm to reinforce the shared 'pain'.
- Armenians have a distinct way of speaking about the deceased using the term հանգիստ, meaning 'rest'. A condolence may be followed by a wish for the soul to find հանգիստ.
Examples in context
- Ես ձեզ ցավակցում եմ այս կորստի համար:Yes dzez tsavaktsum yem ays korsti hamar:I offer my condolences for this loss.
- Ցավակցում եմ ձեր ընտանիքին:Tsavaktsum yem dzer entanikin:My condolences to your family.
Example conversation
Ani offers sympathy to Aram after a funeral.
- Անի AniԱրամ, ցավակցում եմ քեզ և քո մտերիքներին:Aram, tsavaktsum em qez yev qo mteriknerin:Aram, my condolences to you and your loved ones.
- Արամ AramՇնորհակալություն, Անի, շատ բարի ես:Shnorhakalutyun, Ani, shat bari es:Thank you, Ani, you are very kind.
- Անի AniԵթե ինչ-որ բանի կարիք ունենաս, ասա ինձ:Yete inch-or bani karik unenas, asa indz:If you need anything, tell me.
- Արամ AramՇնորհակալ եմ աջակցության համար:Shnorhakal em ajaktsutyan hamar:Thank you for the support.
