Ways to say it
| Armenian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| սպիտակ | spitak | /spiˈtɑk/ (Eastern Armenian) /sbiˈdɑɡ/ (Western Armenian) |
|
| ճերմակ | čermak | /t͡ʃeɾˈmɑk/ (Eastern Armenian) /d͡ʒeɾˈmɑɡ/ (Western Armenian) |
Western |
The word սպիտակ is used to denote the color white or something that is bright and colourless. It can also be used as a component in the word սպիտակամորթ, which means Caucasian or white-skinned.
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective սպիտակամորթ (white-skinned) is formed by combining the color սպիտակ (white) with the root մորթ (skin/complexion).
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form սպիտակ is the standard term used in Eastern Armenian, which is the official language of the Republic of Armenia. In contrast, the form ճերմակ is used in Western Armenian, typically spoken by the Armenian diaspora.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is spitak. The sound /s/ is like the [s] in sip, /p/ is like the [p] in sport, /i/ is like the [ea] in seat (short in duration), /t/ is like the [t] in stop, /ɑ/ is like the [a] in lava and /k/ is like the [c] in scan.
Did you know?
- The word սպիտակ is used in the name of the city of Spitak, which suffered a devastating earthquake in 1988. The city is literally named 'White'.
- While սպիտակ is used for the color white, the root մորթ in սպիտակամորթ originally referred to a 'fur' or 'coat' of an animal, not just human skin.
- The word սպիտակ was inherited directly from Old Armenian, meaning it has maintained its primary meaning and form for over 1,600 years.
Examples in context
- Սա սպիտակ հաց է։This is white bread.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe the color of food using սպիտակ.Tatoeba #13187388 by Proxima5, translation #9182416 by CK
- Սա սպիտակ գինի է։This is white wine.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe the color of a drink using սպիտակ.Tatoeba #13187391 by Proxima5, translation #8959114 by CK
- Ամեն ինչ սպիտակ է։Everything is white.This sentence is useful for seeing the use of սպիտակ to describe a state of being.Tatoeba #13187368 by Proxima5, translation #3733564 by CK
- 58 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nane and Levon are choosing a color for a new wall.
- Նանե NaneՈ՞ր գույնն ես ուզում, Լևո՛ն:Vor guynn es uzum, Levon?Which color do you want, Levon?
- Լևոն LevonԵս սպիտակ եմ ուզում:Yes spitak em uzum.I want white.
- Նանե NaneՍպիտակը շատ լավ կլինի:Spitaky shat lav klini.White will be very good.
- Լևոն LevonԱյո, սպիտակը լուսավոր է:Ayo, spitaky lusavor e.Yes, white is bright.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “white” translations and entries սպիտակ, ճերմակ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ճերմակ, սպիտակ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
