քահանա
kʻahana/kʰɑhɑˈnɑ/
The English word 'priest' is translated into Armenian as քահանա (kʻahana). Wiktionary also lists երեց (erecʻ) and տերտեր (terter).
Meaning: clergyman (clergywoman, clergyperson) (noun)
Ways to say it
| Armenian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| քահանա | kʻahana | /kʰɑhɑˈnɑ/ (Eastern Armenian) /kɑhɑˈnɑ/ (Western Armenian) |
|
| երեց | erecʻ | /jeˈɾet͡sʰ/ (Eastern Armenian) /jeˈɾet͡s/ (Western Armenian) |
|
| տերտեր | terter | /teɾˈteɾ/ (Eastern Armenian) /deɾˈdeɾ/ (Western Armenian) |
colloquial |
| քուրմ | kʻurm | /kʰuɾm/ (Eastern Armenian) /kuɾm/ (Western Armenian) |
The terms in this set are used to refer to a clergyman, clergywoman or clergyperson.
Which one should you use?
քահանա is the standard, most common term for a priest. տերտեր is a colloquial or affectionate term for a priest.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of քահանա is kʰɑhɑˈnɑ. The /kʰ/ sound is like the [c] in can, the /ɑ/ sound is like the [a] in lava, the /h/ sound is like the [h] in hot and the /n/ sound is like the [n] in nest.
Did you know?
- In Armenian culture, the title տեր is often used before a priest's first name as a sign of respect, similar to how 'Father' is used in English.
- The term տերտեր is a reduplication of the word տեր, which means 'lord' or 'owner'.
- In certain historical contexts, the term երեց specifically refers to a priest within the Armenian Apostolic Church hierarchy.
Examples in context
- Քահանան մոտեցավ մեզ:K'ahanan motetsav mez:The priest approached us.
- Մենք հանդիպեցինք քահանային:Menk' handipecin'k' k'ahanayin:We met the priest.
Example conversation
Levon and Lilian are visiting a church.
- Լիլիան LilianՈրտե՞ղ է քահանան:Vortegh e kahanan?Where is the priest?
- Լևոն LevonՆա ներսում է:Na nersum e:He is inside.
- Լիլիան LilianԵկեք գնանք նրան հանդիպելու:Yekek gnank nran handipelu:Let's go meet him.
- Լևոն LevonԱյո, գնացինք:Ayo, gnatsink:Yes, let's go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “priest” translations and entries քահանա, երեց, տերտեր, քուրմ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries երեց, տերտեր, քահանա, քուրմ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
