ինչու
inčʻu/inˈt͡ʃʰu/
The English word "why" is translated into Armenian as ինչու (inčʻu). Wiktionary also lists խի (xi) and հեր (her).
Meaning: (interrogative) for what reason (adv)
Ways to say it
| Armenian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ինչու | inčʻu | /inˈt͡ʃʰu/ (Eastern Armenian) /inˈt͡ʃu/ (Western Armenian) |
| խի | xi | /χi/ (Eastern Armenian) /χi/ (Western Armenian) |
| հեր | her | /heɾ/ (Eastern Armenian) /heɾ/ (Western Armenian) |
These terms are used as interrogative adverbs to ask for the reason behind an action or situation. For the noun "the reason", Armenian uses պատճառ.
Which one should you use?
ինչու is the standard, neutral form. խի and հեր are alternative forms.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ինչու is the standard form suitable for both formal and informal situations. խի is a colloquial form often used in casual speech.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In written Armenian, the question mark is placed directly over the vowel of the interrogative word, such as ինչու՞, instead of at the end of the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is inčʻu. The /i/ sounds like the [ea] in "seat", the /n/ is like the [n] in "nest", the /tʃʰ/ is like the [ch] in "chin" and the /u/ sounds like the [oo] in "cool".
Did you know?
- In some Armenian dialects, the word հեր acts as a form of 'why' but is a phonetic development of the Old Armenian word հայր, meaning 'father'.
Examples in context
- Խի՞ ես դու մենակ։Why are you alone?This sentence uses խի.Tatoeba #13395000 by Proxima5, translation #69874 by CK
- Ասա մեզ, թե ինչու։Tell us why.This sentence uses ինչու.Tatoeba #13211840 by Proxima5, translation #3907819 by CH
- Խի՞ ես դու վազում։Why are you running?Tatoeba #13394961 by Proxima5, translation #1776575 by Amastan
- 249 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ani and Aram are discussing a missed meeting.
- Անի AniԻնչու՞ չեկար ժողովին:Inchu ch'ekar zhoghovin?Why didn't you come to the meeting?
- Արամ AramԵս շատ հիվանդ էի:Yes shat hivand ei.I was very sick.
- Անի AniԻնչու՞ ինձ չզանգեցիր:Inchu indz ch'zangetsir?Why didn't you call me?
- Արամ AramՊարզապես մոռացել էի:Parzapes morratsel ei.I simply forgot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “why” translations and entries ինչու, խի, հեր, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ինչու, խի, հեր, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
