In films where there is the role of an Armenian, he will surely say: “jan”. What does jan mean in Armenian? How is this word used? First, let's look at the dictionaries.
What dictionaries say
Djan is translated from Armenian into Russian as expensive. Among translators, discussions are underway on the topic: “What does jan mean in Armenian and what is its origin”. There are two opinions:
- Turkic origin of the word;
- Armenian word origin.
These two groups belong to different language families: Turkic peoples belong to the Altai, and Armenians - to the Indo-European. It should be noted that all eastern peoples in different variations use this word. In many nations, jan is a soul or life. This suggests an earlier source of the word. Much clarifies the appeal for clarifications to the surviving ancient Indo-European languages.
In Farsi, especially in its ancient Persian version, we see much more meanings of the word jan. These are, for example, the following:
- heart;
- a life;
- force;
- spirit.
Comparison with Hindi confirms the diminutive form of Jan added to the name. Many names in India end in ji or jan.
Against the Turkic version, it can be argued that the word is used only by those peoples who are faced with Indo-European culture, in particular, Armenian.
What native speakers say
It is interesting to know the opinion of the native speakers themselves about what jan means in Armenian. In Armenian culture, when a person is called jan or jana, it is understood that the interlocutor is close in spirit, he is a sweet and respected person. Communication with him is nice.
But, if you directly ask what jan means in Armenian, the answer will not be right away. Someone will say - this is the soul, and someone will answer - life. Literally, janya [janya] means the body. The ancient Sanskrit word jana [jana] means man. The Bible speaks of how God made a body of dust, breathed life into it, and Adam became a soul. Apparently, the roots of the word go so far that many peoples consider the word to be their own.
Many talk about the ambiguity of the translation of jahn. From Armenian to Russian, most often it means dear. In everyday life, a word is added to names, and mother is also treated like that. And they can just say to the girl: "Jana, please give me that thing." In this case, it becomes a circulation. You can hear in the market: “What are you selling, jan?” This is a warm and cozy, peaceful word.
Vovijan, don't eat Kinzu
In the movie “Attention, turtle!” there is an Armenian boy - excellent student Vova Manukyan. He is the instigator of various experiments and generally the first boy in the class. When parents go to work, he stays with his grandmother. My grandmother hung out boxes on the balcony in which instead of flowers, she grows greens. What Armenian cuisine without greens! It is called male bread in the Caucasus.
Vova loves to enjoy fresh fragrant grass, but her grandmother notices everything and affectionately tells her grandson:
“Vovijan, don't eat kinjou.”
What the grandson invariably answers:
- Nobody eats!
This is repeated throughout the film during all the scenes shot on Manukyan’s balcony.
Djan in Armenian is a diminutive prefix to a name. You can translate the words of the grandmother so: "Little Johnny, do not tear the cilantro."
If you call this an adult, he will be puzzled. Jan is a word for very close ones. This is an analogue of the Russian word dear.
Mimino
The difference in the traditional perception of the world between Armenians and Georgians is shown by the talented director G. Danelia. In the film “Mimino,” the explosive hero V. Kikabidze first does something, and then thinks. Nearby, the peace-loving hero of F. Mkrtchan smoothes his temper: "Roller-jan, I’ll tell you one clever thing, but don’t be offended."
The appeal of jan in this case means respect. The interlocutor warns that in no case does he want to offend Valiko or teach his life. It is known that Frunzik Mkrtchyan said that it is ugly to teach a person, you need to help him. But do it so that he does not know about it.
As they say in Armenia
So after all, what does jan mean in Armenian? There is a joke that you go out into Armenia and how you see your reflection in the mirror. By the way people turn to each other, one can judge the impression they make. A passerby will stop and ask how to get to such a street. In this case, he will use different appeals to the woman:
- Kur-jan - the visiting young man will ask. He called him a sister, which means he considers him rather young.
- Ahchik-jan - passers-by consider you younger than themselves, they called you a daughter.
- Morkur-jan - the girl will say, giving way. I called an aunt. It's a pity.
- Mayrik-jan, let’s help - a man, looking the same age, will rush to pick up scattered vegetables from a fallen bag. So, it’s a bad thing - he called his mother. Old age is just around the corner.
- Tatik-jan, how to help? - the new neighbor will affectionately ask. He called a granny. Ah, neighbor, ah, jahn.
Of course, along with these appeals there are generally accepted official paron and tikin, which means madam and lord. But they are kind of cold, alienated. Tikin implies that a woman is a draw, not needed or a stranger. Paron - from the word baron brought in by the crusaders. In Russian, the analogue is barin. So they can say to a person, ending disagreements in a dispute. Let him know that they do not consider him to be his own. You won’t tell him jan.
Translation from Armenian should take into account the mentality of the nation. Armenia is a country of customs. By and large, all Armenians are relatives. They remember this and try to maintain the ancient traditions that regulate relations and have long become the core of society.