ի՞նչ ես անում
inch' es anum
Ի՞նչ ես անում is the Armenian way to say "what are you doing?"
This phrase is a question used to ask someone about the activity they are currently performing at the present moment.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ի՞նչ (what), ես (you are) and անում (doing).
Which one should you use?
The form ի՞նչ ես անում is used for a single person in an informal context, whereas ի՞նչ եք անում is used to address more than one person or to address someone formally.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address someone formally or to address more than one person, use ի՞նչ եք անում instead of the singular ի՞նչ ես անում.
How do you pronounce it?
inch' es anum
Did you know?
- The Armenian question mark, or ՞, is placed specifically over the vowel of the word that carries the most stress in the sentence, rather than at the end of the phrase.
- Depending on the region, the phrase ի՞նչ ես անում can be used as a general greeting similar to 'what is up' rather than a literal inquiry into a person's current task.
- In casual Armenian conversation, the word ես (you) is often dropped entirely, leaving only ի՞նչ անում, as the verb ending already indicates who is being addressed.
Examples in context
- Այնտեղ ի՞նչ ես անում:Aytegh inch es anum?What are you doing there?
- Այս պահին ի՞նչ ես անում:Ays pahin inch es anum?What are you doing at this moment?
Example conversation
Liliyan is sitting at a desk in the living room when Aram walks in.
- Արամ AramԼիլիան, հիմա ի՞նչ ես անում:Lilian, hima inch es anum?Liliyan, what are you doing now?
- Լիլիան LilianԳիրք եմ կարդում:Girk yem kardum.I am reading a book.
- Արամ AramՀասկացա, ես ուղղակի ուզեցի պարզել:Haskatsa, yes ughghaki uzetsi parzel.I see, I just wanted to check.
- Լիլիան LilianԼավ, Արամ:Lav, Aram.Okay, Aram.
