-ավուն

Armenian

Alternative forms

Etymology

The origin is unknown. Confined to Eastern dialects, with the earliest attestation in the 17th century.[1] Ačaṙyan remarks that derivation from Old Armenian -ագոյն (-agoyn) (of Iranian origin) is impossible, because no գ (g) → վ (v) sound change is known in the dialects. But perhaps that change occurred within an Iranian language, where such a change is known, and thence was borrowed into Armenian.

Compare also Central Kurdish [script needed] (-(e)win), forming adjectives from nouns.

Pronunciation

Suffix

-ավուն • (-avun)

  1. (dialectal) forming comparatives of adjectives
    էս տղեն էն տղից մենձավուն ա ― ēs tłen ēn tłicʿ menjavun a ― this boy is older than that boy
  2. (appended to adjectives) somewhat, -ish
    դեղին ― dełin ― yellow
    դեղնավուն ― dełnavun ― yellowish
    քաղցր ― kʿałcʿr ― sweet
    քաղցրավուն ― kʿałcʿravun ― sweetish

Usage notes

Especially common with color names.

Derived terms
► <a class='CategoryTreeLabel CategoryTreeLabelNs14 CategoryTreeLabelCategory' href='/wiki/Category:Armenian_words_suffixed_with_-%D5%A1%D5%BE%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B6' title='Category:Armenian words suffixed with -ավուն'>Armenian words suffixed with -ավուն</a>

References
  1. Ačaṙyan, Hračʿya (1952) Liakatar kʿerakanutʿyun hayocʿ lezvi hamematutʿyamb 562 lezuneri [Complete Grammar of the Armenian Language Compared to 562 Languages] (in Armenian), volume I, Yerevan: Academy Press, page 71
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