Armenian words for things

[HyeJinx1984]

I realized I've been using english words when describing very Armenian ideas, and it's starting to get annoying for me. I'm now realizing how silly sentences like "Yefor Genocida yelav..." are... so, what IS the Armenian word for reffering to that particular event in time?

Also, what's the Armenian word for "Armenian Christmas"... cause I'm sick of calling it "Armenian Christmas." Also, what are you really supposed to do on Armenian Christmas? Usually we just have a party, but are there any particular traditions or prayers that go along with it?

[ckBejug]

I realized I've been using english words when describing very Armenian ideas, and it's starting to get annoying for me. I'm now realizing how silly sentences like "Yefor Genocida yelav..." are... so, what IS the Armenian word for reffering to that particular event in time?

Also, what's the Armenian word for "Armenian Christmas"... cause I'm sick of calling it "Armenian Christmas." Also, what are you really supposed to do on Armenian Christmas? Usually we just have a party, but are there any particular traditions or prayers that go along with it?

Genocide = Medz Chart
"Armenian" Christmas = Soorp Dzenoont

Usually we get together with family and have dinner, we pray at midnight and then open gifts, although instead of doing it on the real Armenian Christmas (January 6) my family does it on New Years Eve, because otherwise everyone might not be off from work that day.

When you greet someone, you say- "Chrisdos dzenav yev haydnetsav"
and the person in front of you recieving that greeting says- "Orhnyal eh dzenoonte Chrisdosi"

p.s. "Yefor" = Yerp vor (2 words, and usually you should omit the vor)
"yelav"= Yeghav

[HyeJinx1984]

Medz chart? Hmm.. what does that translate into literally? Medz means "big," but what's chart mean?

And doesn't "Tsenoont" just mean "Birth"? There's no way of diffentiating that day from anyone elses birth?

[Tres Bien]

Genocide- Tseghaspanotion

[ckBejug]

Medz chart? Hmm.. what does that translate into literally? Medz means "big," but what's chart mean?

And doesn't "Tsenoont" just mean "Birth"? There's no way of diffentiating that day from anyone elses birth?

Chart means massacre. People who have been through the genocide say they lived through the Medz Chart. Dictionary-wise, if you look up systematic killing of a race it's tseghasbanootiun. Tsegh = race, sbannel = to kill.

The first time the Armenian Genocide was called that, 'Genocide' it was by Raphael Lemkin. The word is a combination of two Greek words-- genos (race or tribe) and cide (to kill). But, like I said, when you hear of recounts from Armenian survivors, they refer to it as Medz Chart.

I am not sure of any specific word signifying the Birth of Christ. Chrisdosi Dzenoonte. Yeah, it's called Soorp Dzenoont. Gaghant = New Years Eve, and Nor Dari= New Years Day, new year...

[Crimson Glow]

Gaghant = New Years Eve, and Nor Dari= New Years Day, new year...

Then....why is Santa Clause called Gaghant Baba? :confused:

[ckBejug]

Then....why is Santa Clause called Gaghant Baba? :confused:

Because, as it is in my family, most Armenian people celebrate the coming of Santa Claus on midnight on New Years Eve.