Ways to say it
| Armenian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| տգեղ | tgeġ | /təˈɡeʁ/ (Eastern Armenian) /dəˈkeʁ/ (Western Armenian) |
|
| գեշ | geš | /ɡeʃ/ (Eastern Armenian) /keʃ/ (Western Armenian) |
colloquial, dialectal |
The term is used to describe something that is displeasing to the eye or not aesthetically pleasing. While տգեղ is the standard way to say 'ugly', you may also encounter the term Անգեղ, which is a more neutral way to describe someone or something as 'unattractive' or 'plain'.
Which one should you use?
տգեղ is the standard, neutral term for 'ugly' used in both formal and everyday contexts. In contrast, գեշ is a version that can carry a stronger, more derogatory connotation of being 'nasty' or 'gross'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
տգեղ is appropriate for both formal and everyday situations. գեշ is a colloquial or dialectal form.
Is it said differently in some regions?
գեշ is considered a dialectal form.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective տգեղ is indeclinable, which means it does not change its form regardless of the gender, number or case of the noun it describes.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of tgeġ is /təˈɡeʁ/. The /t/ is like the 't' in 'stop', the /ə/ is like the 'a' in 'again', the /ɡ/ is like the 'g' in 'good' and the /ʁ/ is like the French 'r' in 'rue' or a Northumbrian burr.
Did you know?
- In Armenian culture, describing a baby as տգեղ or 'ugly' is sometimes done intentionally to ward off the 'evil eye' and protect the child from jealousy.
- The word տգեղ is built from two parts: տ- meaning 'bad' or 'wrong' and գեղ meaning 'beauty'. It literally describes something as having 'bad beauty'.
- In some Armenian dialects, գեշ is used not just for aesthetics, but to describe someone who is clumsy or awkward in their movements.
Examples in context
- Այս քաղաքը տգեղ է։This city is ugly.This sentence is useful for describing a city using տգեղ.Tatoeba #13367660 by Proxima5, translation #6981355 by aln
- Նա հիմար է ու տգեղ։She's stupid and ugly.This sentence uses տգեղ to describe a person alongside another quality.Tatoeba #10725790 by vahanm, translation #2230433 by Hybrid
- Թոմը բարետես է, իսկ Մերին՝ տգեղ։Tom is handsome, but Mary is ugly.This sentence uses տգեղ to contrast one person's appearance with another's.Tatoeba #10718729 by vahanm, translation #9130758 by Ergulis
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Artash and Lilian are looking at a painting in a gallery.
- Արտաշ ArtashԱյս նկարը շատ տգեղ է:Ays nkarë shat tgegh ē:This painting is very ugly.
- Լիլիան LilianԵս համաձայն չեմ, այն հետաքրքիր է:Yes hamadzayn chem, ayn hetakrkir ē:I don't agree, it is interesting.
- Արտաշ ArtashԳույները իսկապես տգեղ են:Guynerë iskapes tgegh en:The colors are really ugly.
- Լիլիան LilianԴու միշտ այդպես ես ասում, Արտաշ:Du misht aydpes es asum, Artash:You always say that, Artash.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ugly” translations and entries տգեղ, գեշ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
