Preparing for a trip to Armenia’s beautiful capital requires learning some local vocabulary.

Yerevan is an incredibly welcoming city where a few words in the local language go a long way.

Locals in Yerevan speak Eastern Armenian, which sounds distinctly different from the Western Armenian spoken by many in the diaspora.

Focusing on these essential Eastern Armenian travel phrases will help you navigate the city with complete confidence.

Greetings and polite phrases

Starting a conversation politely is the best way to make friends in Yerevan.

Armenians deeply appreciate it when visitors try to speak their native language.

You’ll hear people say Barev dzez almost everywhere you go.

Here are the most important greeting words you need to know for your trip.

It’s always polite to ask someone how they are doing when you greet them.

Getting around Yerevan

Yerevan is a very walkable city with a highly affordable public transportation system.

You’ll likely use taxis, the metro, or the local minibuses known as marshrutkas.

Knowing how to ask for directions will save you a lot of time.

Here’s the vocabulary you need for traveling around the city.

You can use this simple structure to ask your taxi driver or a local where a specific landmark is.

Eating and ordering food

Armenian food is incredibly delicious and dining out is a huge part of the local culture.

Yerevan is filled with amazing outdoor cafes, traditional bakeries, and modern restaurants.

You’ll definitely want to order local specialties like khorovats (barbecue) and lavash bread.

These phrases will help you order food and politely ask for your bill.

When you’re ready to pay for your meal, just wave to your server and say this phrase.

Shopping and money

You’ll certainly want to buy local souvenirs at the famous Vernissage market.

The national currency in Armenia is the Armenian Dram.

Bargaining is acceptable at outdoor markets, but it’s generally not done in regular stores.

Learn these words to handle your money and purchases smoothly.

Here’s exactly how you ask a vendor for the price of an item.

Emergency phrases

Yerevan is widely considered to be one of the safest capital cities in the world for travelers.

However, it’s always smart to learn basic emergency vocabulary just in case you need it.

Most young people in Yerevan speak English or Russian fluently.

Older generations might only speak Armenian and Russian, so these phrases are helpful to know.

If you’re ever confused or overwhelmed, you can politely explain that you don’t speak the language.