իսկ

Armenian

Etymology

From Old Armenian իսկ (isk).

Pronunciation

(Eastern Armenian) IPA^(key): /isk/, [isk]
(Western Armenian) IPA^(key): /isɡ/, [isk]
Audio (Eastern Armenian): (file)

Conjunction

իսկ • (isk)

while, and, but
ես խելոք եմ, իսկ դու՝ ոչ ― es xelokʻ em, isk du, očʻ ― I am smart, and you are not

ծնողները հեռացան, իսկ երեխաները մնացին տանը ― cnoġnerə heṙacʻan, isk erexanerə mnacʻin tanə ― the parents went away, while the children stayed at home

իսկ ինչո՞ւ ոչ ― isk inčʻu^? očʻ ― and why not?

Usage notes

իսկ contrasts with both եւ (ew) and բայց (baycʻ): whereas all three of them express logical conjunction, they each have different implications. եւ (ew) is usually used when both phrases are naturally connected somehow, and falls within expectations. բայց (baycʻ) is used to oppose two phrases and highlight the difference. իսկ has a weaker force than բայց: it is used to contrast two or more phrases without directly opposing them.

Particle

իսկ • (isk)

even
Նրա անունն իսկ չէր ուզում լսել։ ― Nra anunn isk čʻēr uzum lsel. ― She didn't even want to hear his name.
very, precisely, exactly
այդ իսկ պատճառով ― ayd isk patčaṙov ― for that very reason

առաջին իսկ պահից ― aṙaǰin isk pahicʻ ― from the very first moment