Intensifiers¶

In Western Armenian, certain adjectives and adverbs can be intensified in a unique way aside from using the common word շատ (shad, "very"). This is done by placing a short, alliterative intensifying particle before the word, creating a stronger and often more expressive meaning. These particles carry no meaning on their own, however when paired with a word, they transform it into a stronger form. Also since they often echo the first sound of the word, they create a rhythmic effect that makes them easy to remember. For example, սեւ (sev, "black") becomes սեփ-սեւ (sep-sev, "very black").

These intensifiers are a unique feature of Western Armenian and are not used in Eastern Armenian.

Common Intensifiers¶